Congress is moving closer to finalizing federal funding ahead of the January 30 deadline, with House leaders advancing a $1.2 trillion spending package that covers major domestic and defense agencies. The outcome will shape funding levels for transportation, housing, education, healthcare, and other programs that directly affect Georgia cities.
Congress Nears Finish Line on Federal Funding
The House is expected to vote on the final spending package by Friday, January 23, leaving the Senate just one week to pass the remaining bills when it returns from recess next week. Congress already passed funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Interior, Commerce, Energy, EPA, Treasury, and State.
Funding Levels
Key highlights from the remaining funding proposals:
- Transportation: $111 million decrease, totaling $25.1 billion
- Housing and Urban Development: $7.2 billion increase, totaling $84 billion (largest funding boost)
- Education: $217 million increase, totaling $79 billion
- Health and Human Services: $210 million increase, totaling $117 billion
- Labor: $65 million increase, totaling $13.7 billion
- Defense: increased to $839 billion
Key Decisions on DHS and Healthcare
A compromise over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding has reached a critical point following recent ICE enforcement measures. While the agreement is bipartisan, House Democratic leadership plans to vote ‘no’ on the DHS bill, arguing that it doesn’t go far enough to ensure oversight over the agency’s administrative and field actions. House Republicans, however, are not expected to need Democratic votes for final passage, while more Senate Democrats signal support for the compromise.
The $64 billion DHS package would keep ICE funding at $10 billion while placing new limits on the agency’s ability to transfer funds without transparency requirements. The proposal also includes $20 million for body cameras and de-escalation training, along with $20 million for independent oversight of detention facilities.
Bipartisan healthcare legislation will also be included in the final spending package, although it does not include recent health care proposals from the White House or an extension of the Affordable Care Act insurance subsides. The legislation would provide reforms to pharmacy benefit managers and $4.6 billion in additional funding for community health centers, along with renewals of other public health programs.