Congressional negotiators agree to framework for government-funding deal

Congressional negotiators said they agreed on a framework for a fiscal 2023 government funding package, with lawmakers saying the breakthrough in talks puts them on course to vote next week before leaving for Christmas break.

Late Tuesday, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Leahy (D., Vt.) and House Appropropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.) released statements saying that they had reached a bipartisan framework with Sen. Richard Shelby (R., Ala.) that should allow for enactment of an omnibus spending bill that would boost funding for both the military and domestic priorities.

“We have a framework that provides a path forward to enact an omnibus next week,” said DeLauro. She added that the House and Senate Appropriations Committees would work around the clock to negotiate the details of the 2023 spending package, which includes 12 separate bills.

Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said a framework was in place and that lawmakers should be about to finish the omnibus by the end of next week “if all goes well.”

Lawmakers didn’t announce any details about the overall spending levels, a topic that has eluded negotiators for weeks. Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed to $858 billion in military spending—up from $782 billion appropriated for fiscal 2022—but have been at an impasse over nondefense spending. Democrats are seeking about $26 billion more in nondefense spending than Republicans want.

An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.

You May Also Like

Three habits that can help protect your credit cards from fraud

This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet.  Last year, one of…

CBI sent into tailspin by sexual misconduct allegations

If the CBI had been aiming to rehabilitate its battered reputation after…

China Evergrande shares sink as trading resumes after 17 months

China Evergrande shares tumbled sharply Monday after resuming trading on the Hong…

Starbucks to cover abortion travel costs for employees, joining Amazon, Tesla

The benefit will be available to any employee who cannot access these…