All articles tagged with #senate appropriations committee
At a Senate Appropriations hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defends an $87.6 billion DoD funding request tied to the Iran war, arguing it’s needed to sustain deterrence and training, while Democrats critique the cost and process; the war has cost about $37.5 billion so far, and with funding offsets disputed and Congress in recess, passage is unlikely before September.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the National Security Supplemental Request, emphasizing the need for urgent resources to continue leading in the face of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and intensifying strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. The funding request includes support for Israel and Ukraine, addressing humanitarian needs, outcompeting strategic rivals, and protecting the security of Americans at home. Blinken stressed the importance of standing with allies and partners while also protecting civilian life.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved four key appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2024, including Defense, Interior-Environment, LHHS (Labor, Health and Human Services, Education), and Homeland Security. The bills received bipartisan support and provide funding for various priorities such as strengthening national defense, protecting the environment, supporting tribal communities, investing in education and healthcare, and enhancing border security. The committee's successful passage of all twelve appropriations bills marks a significant achievement in the legislative process, although the bills still need to be passed by the full Senate, the House, and signed into law.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Senator Dianne Feinstein had to be reminded to vote on the Defense Appropriations bill after appearing confused. Feinstein, who is 90 years old and has faced questions about her health, was prompted by Senator Patty Murray multiple times before finally casting her vote. Feinstein's health has been a concern for Democrats, and she announced earlier this year that she will not run for reelection in 2024. This incident comes after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also had a health scare during a news conference.
House and Senate appropriators have drafted bills that would provide NASA with slightly less funding in 2024 compared to 2023, rather than the significant increase requested by the administration. The Senate Appropriations Committee's bill provides $25.0 billion for NASA, below the $25.384 billion received in 2023 and significantly less than the $27.185 billion requested. The bill prioritizes funding for NASA's exploration programs, including the Artemis Campaign Development and the Human Landing System awards to SpaceX and Blue Origin. The House bill provides $25.367 billion for NASA in 2024, just under the 2023 spending level and below the 2024 request. The funding levels are influenced by the debt ceiling deal reached in May, which capped non-defense discretionary funding at 2023 levels for 2024.