Friday saw the end of the 117th Congress, the 118th Congress with Republican control of the House begins at noon on January 3, 2023.

I have written before how in DC speak the last big must pass bill for a session of Congress is often referred to as the last train leaving the station, and that was the case for the $1.7T Omnibus Spending Bill that passed today. It includes not only the money to fund the government through the remainder of the current fiscal year; but added to the train were programs ranging from money for Ukraine to a provision that requires employers to provide time and space for mothers who are breast feeding. The bill also includes amendments to the Electoral Count Act of 1887. The amendments make clear that the Vice President’s role is only ministerial and that to vote on accepting a state’s Electoral College votes will require 1/5th of both the House and Senate. Currently objections can be made by just one Member of each chamber.

The Omnibus Bill fully funded the nation’s defense programs providing $858B for DoD and related agencies, and $757B for non-defense programs. The final vote in the Senate showed broad bipartisan support when it passed 68Y to 29N. All the NO votes came from Republicans, many who wanted to return to the budget issues early ...

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