The passage of the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023 (CR) funds the federal government through December 16, 2022. President Joe Biden signed the continuing resolution into law to avoid a government shutdown.
This bipartisan legislation continues vital federal funding through December 16th and is a temporary measure to afford Congress sufficient time to complete the fiscal year 2023 omnibus. The bill also provides relief to communities recovering from natural disasters and includes support for Ukraine.
The continuing resolution includes $18.8 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund, and $2 billion for Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR). Other highlights of the funding package include:
- $400 million to increase hiring at the Social Security Administration
- $20 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi
- $1 billion for the Health and Human Services Department’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- $12 billion for Ukraine aid
- Several provisions to support Afghan refugees and other vulnerable people seeking protection
Orlando Representative Val Demings, who is running for U.S. Senate against Republican Marco Rubio, voted for the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act (CR).
“I voted to keep our obligations, keep the government open, and fund disaster relief that Florida needs in the wake of Hurricane Ian,” said Rep. Demings. “Over $20 billion is included in the bill for the Disaster Relief Fund and Community Development Block Grants that will help Floridians recover from the impacts of Hurricane Ian. I look forward to continuing our work on a long-term appropriations package that includes the critical community priorities I have worked to secure in Congress.”
President Biden thanked both houses of Congress.
“It meets critical and urgent needs of the nation, including disaster relief for both red and blue states hit hard by Hurricane Ida and other devastating natural disasters, and funding to help us resettle Afghan allies in the United States following the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan,” President Biden said about the continuing resolution. “This funding will also keep up our fight against COVID-19 and—on this International Recovery Day—it will continue our battle against the opioid crisis.
Here is a one-page fact sheet on the bill:
CR_2022_1
“There’s so much more to do,” President Biden added. “But the passage of this bill reminds us that bipartisan work is possible and it gives us time to pass longer-term funding to keep our government running and delivering for the American people.”
