Patrick Leahy: “I am pleased to announce that late last night, I introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, fiscal year 2023 omnibus…”

“I am pleased to announce that late last night, I introduced the bipartisan, bicameral, fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. This bill invests $772.5 billion in nondefense discretionary programs, including $118.7 billion--a 22-percent increase--for VA medical care, and $858 billion in defense funding. It provides $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and our NATO allies and $40.6 billion in emergency funding to assist communities across the country recovering from drought, hurricanes, flooding, wildfire, natural disasters, and other matters. The pain of inflation is real, and it is being felt across the Federal Government and by American families right now. Our bill offers relief, certainty for the operations of the Federal Government through the fiscal year, and the resources necessary to secure the national defense. From funding for nutrition programs and housing assistance, to home energy costs and college affordability, this is a strong bill that directly invests in the American people. It is the product of bipartisan negotiations in line with the framework announced by Vice Chairman Shelby, Chair DeLauro, and myself last week, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support it. It fulfills the promise of bipartisan, landmark legislation that we passed this year, and it fulfills our promise to the American people. If you voted for the PACT Act to care for our veterans, you should vote for this bill.…”