Patrick Leahy: “I brought a lot of bills to the floor here. This will be the last one I bring to the floor of the Senate. But it is one…”

“I brought a lot of bills to the floor here. This will be the last one I bring to the floor of the Senate. But it is one that we have to act on quickly or we risk a government shutdown. This omnibus appropriations bill provides $1.7 trillion for fiscal year 2023, $42 billion in aid to Ukraine, and $27 billion for victims of natural disaster. It is a strong, bicameral, and bipartisan bill; and it adheres to the framework announced by Vice Chairman Shelby, Chair DeLauro, and myself last week. From funding for nutrition programs and housing assistance, to reducing home energy costs and increasing college affordability, this bill is a direct investment into the American people and our national security, which we cannot delay further. The pain of inflation is real, and it is being felt by families across the country and in every corner of the Federal Government. Not only does this bill provide real relief from inflation, it is this bill where we fund the promises of the landmark, bipartisan legislation that we passed in the 117th Congress. The bill provides $1.8 billion in new funding to implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. This will help drive our innovative and competitive edge on the global stage. We included $9.9 billion--an historic level of funding--for the National Science Foundation, which will support 2,300 more research and education grants and 35,000 more scientists, technicians, teachers, and students.…”