Schakowsky Votes to Advance Final Six Bill Appropriations Package
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee, released the following statement after House passage of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, a package of the final six domestic funding bills focused on helping families and communities across the United States. The legislation helps Americans deal with high prices, sides with the hard-working middle class, protects women’s rights, and reinforces America’s global leadership.
“After months of far-right extremists hijacking our appropriations process, we have completed the final part of the FY 2024 budget, which will benefit everyday Americans, military families, federal workers, and more. I am pleased to report that my final community project funding request was approved, which means, in total, I will be bringing home nearly $19 million to the 9th Congressional District of Illinois. The majority of House Republicans, 112 to be exact, voted against today’s package, and therefore, to shut down our government. Thanks to the Democrats, we were able to get this over the finish line and keep our government open.
“Democrats have fought hard to expand crucial investments that matter to everyday families and help support our workers, rejecting devastating cuts to our climate and more. The agreement includes an increase of $1 billion for childcare and Head Start, a $1 billion increase in climate and energy resiliency, and increased funding for high poverty schools and students with disabilities.
“As always, Democrats stood strong and fought back against hundreds of extreme poison pill policy riders that would have come after fundamental freedoms, including LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive health care.
“Despite the many positive provisions in this minibus that fund our government and help American families, I am deeply disappointed that several harmful border and immigration provisions were included. What we need is comprehensive immigration reform. I am also disappointed that urgently needed funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which helps deliver critical humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, was not included. I will keep fighting to ensure this funding is restored and that the humanitarian needs of Gazans are met.
“We could not have done this without the hard work and dedication of my friend and colleague, Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro. As we now turn our focus to the next funding year, I will continue to fight for a budget that prioritizes everyday Americans.”
A detailed summary of the legislation is available here.
###