[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5793-H5799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT, 2024
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6363) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal
year 2024, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6363
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Further Continuing
Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. References.
DIVISION A--FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
DIVISION B--OTHER MATTERS
Title I--Extensions and Other Matters
Title II--Health and Human Services
Title III--Miscellaneous Extensions
Title IV--Budgetary Effects
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to
``this Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be
treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.
DIVISION A--FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2024
Sec. 101. Division A of the Continuing Appropriations Act,
2024 and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 118-15) is
amended--
(1) by striking the date specified in section 106(3) and
inserting ``February 2, 2024, except as provided in paragraph
(4)'';
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) of section 106 the
following:
``(4) In the case of appropriations and funds made
available and authority granted pursuant to sections 101(1),
101(4), 101(10), 101(12), 134, and 137, January 19, 2024.'';
(3) in section 101(1) by inserting after ``except section
729,'' the following: ``and except that the language under
the heading `Rural Utilities Service--Rural Water and Waste
Disposal Program Account' in title III shall be applied by
inserting `direct loans and,' before `loan guarantees' at the
beginning of the first sentence of the second paragraph,'';
(4) in section 101(10), by inserting before the period ``,
except section 123 as well as the provisions carrying the
same restriction in prior Acts'';
(5) in section 123, by striking ``17 days'' and inserting
``94 days'' and by striking ``17-day'' and inserting ``94-
day'';
(6) in section 124, by striking ``$621,270,000'' and
inserting ``$663,070,000'';
(7) in section 125, by striking ``During the period covered
by this Act'' and inserting ``Through the date specified in
section 106(3) of this Act''; and
(8) by adding after section 137 the following new sections:
``Sec. 138. Section 2(f)(2) of the Undetectable Firearms
Act of 1988 (18 U.S.C. 922 note) shall be applied through the
date specified in section 106(3) of this Act by substituting
`36' for `35'.
``Sec. 139. Through the date specified in section 106(3)
of this Act, amounts appropriated in section 124 of the
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023 (division A of Public Law
117-180) may be charged for any proper expense pursuant to
section 1553(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code,
notwithstanding the limitation in section 1553(b)(2) of such
title.
``Sec. 140. Notwithstanding sections 102 and 104, amounts
made available by section 101 to the Department of Defense
for `Procurement--Shipbuilding and Conversion, Navy' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary for
`Columbia Class Submarine (AP)' in an amount not to exceed
$3,338,413,000.
``Sec. 141. (a) Notwithstanding section 101, section 747 of
title VII of division E of Public Law 117-328 shall be
applied through the date specified in section 106(3) of this
Act by--
``(1) substituting `2025' for `2024';
``(2) substituting `2024' for `2023' each place it appears;
``(3) substituting `2023' for `2022' each place it appears;
and
``(4) substituting `section 747 of division E of Public Law
117-328, as in effect on September 30, 2023' for `section 747
of division E of Public Law 117-103' each place it appears.
``(b) Subsection (a) shall not take effect until the first
day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after
January 1, 2024.
``Sec. 142. Section 302 of title III of Public Law 108-494
shall be applied by substituting the date specified in
section 106(3) of this Act for `December 31, 2023' each place
it appears.
``Sec. 143. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Homeland Security under the heading `United
States Secret Service--Operations and Support' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to carry
out activities related to National Special Security Events
and the 2024 Presidential Campaign.
``Sec. 144. Section 1901(e) of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 591(e)) shall be applied by substituting
the date that is 1 day after the date specified in section
106(3) of this Act for `the date that is 5 years after the
date of the enactment of the Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction Act of 2018'.
``Sec. 145. (a) Amounts made available by section 101 for
`Department of Education--Student Aid Administration' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to ensure
the continuation of student loan servicing activities,
including supporting borrowers reentering repayment.
``(b) The limitation in section 302 of division H of Public
Law 117-328 regarding transfers increasing any appropriation
shall be applied to transfers to appropriations under the
heading `Department of Education--Student Aid Administration'
through the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act by
substituting `10 percent' for `3 percent' for the purposes of
the continuation of basic operations, including student loan
servicing, business process operations, digital customer
care, common origination and disbursement, cybersecurity
activities, and information technology systems.
``Sec. 146. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, there is hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2024, out
of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for
payment to Katherine Anne Feinstein, beneficiary of Dianne
Feinstein, late a Senator from the State of California,
$174,000.
``This division may be cited as the `Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024'.''.
This division may be cited as the ``Further Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024''.
DIVISION B--OTHER MATTERS
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS AND OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE COMPACTS OF
FREE ASSOCIATION WITH THE FEDERATED STATES OF
MICRONESIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL
ISLANDS.
Section 2101 of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024
and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 118-15; 137 Stat. 81) is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``compact of free
association with the federated states of micronesia'' and
inserting ``compacts of free association with the federated
states of micronesia and the republic of the marshall
islands''; and
(2) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``November 17, 2023'' and inserting
``February 2, 2024'' ;
(B) by inserting ``, section 103(f)(2) of the Compact of
Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (48 U.S.C.
1921b(f)(2)), and sections 211, 213, and 216 of the Compact
of Free Association between the Government of the United
States of America and the Government of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands set forth in section 201(b) of that Act (48
U.S.C. 1921 note; Public Law 108-188)'' before ``shall,'';
(C) by inserting ``or the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
as applicable'' before ``, continue''; and
(D) by striking ``of that Compact'' and inserting ``of the
applicable Compact''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS.
(a) Extension.--Except as otherwise provided in this
section and the amendments made by this section,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authorities
(including any limitations on the authorities) provided by
each provision of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-334; 132 Stat. 4490) and each provision of
law amended by that Act (and for mandatory programs at such
funding levels), as in effect on September 30, 2023, shall
continue, and the authorities shall be carried out, until the
later of--
(1) September 30, 2024; or
(2) the date specified in the provision of that Act or the
provision of law amended by that Act.
(b) Discretionary Programs.--Programs carried out using the
authorities described in subsection (a) that are funded by
discretionary appropriations (as defined in section 250(c) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
(2 U.S.C. 900(c))) shall be subject to the availability of
appropriations.
(c) Commodity Programs.--
(1) In general.--The provisions of law applicable to a
covered commodity (as defined in section 1111 of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)), a loan commodity
(as defined in section 1201 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9031)),
sugarcane, or sugar beets for the 2023 crop year pursuant to
title I of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.) and each
amendment made by subtitle C of title I of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334; 132 Stat. 4511)
shall be applicable to the 2024 crop year for that covered
commodity, loan commodity, sugarcane, or sugar beets.
(2) Dairy.--
(A) Base production history adjustment for participating
dairy operations with production of less than 5,000,000
pounds.--Section 1405(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7
U.S.C. 9055(a)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``paragraph (4) and''
before ``subsection (b)''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Base production history adjustment for participating
dairy operations with production of less than 5,000,000
pounds.--
``(A) In general.--If the amount determined under paragraph
(1) is less than 5,000,000 pounds, the production history of
the dairy operation for dairy margin coverage shall be equal
to--
``(i) the amount determined under paragraph (1); plus
``(ii) 75 percent of the amount described in subparagraph
(B).
[[Page H5794]]
``(B) Amount.--The amount referred to in subparagraph
(A)(ii) is, with respect to a dairy operation, the amount
equal to--
``(i) the production volume of such dairy operation for the
2019 milk marketing year; minus
``(ii) the amount determined under paragraph (1).''.
(B) Dairy margin coverage.--
(i) Duration.--Section 1409 of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(7 U.S.C. 9059) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2024''.
(ii) Availability of premium discount.--With respect to
coverage for calendar year 2024, section 1407(g) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057(g)) shall only apply
to a participating dairy operation with respect to which the
premium was reduced in accordance with that section for
calendar year 2023.
(C) Dairy forward pricing program.--Section 1502(e)(2) of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
8772(e)(2)) is amended by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2027''.
(3) Extension of payment amount.--Section 1116(d) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016(d)) is amended, in
the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and
inserting ``2024''.
(4) Suspension of permanent price support authorities.--The
provisions of law specified in--
(A) subsections (a) and (b) of section 1602 of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9092)--
(i) shall not be applicable to the 2024 crops of covered
commodities (as defined in section 1111 of that Act (7 U.S.C.
9011)), cotton, and sugar; and
(ii) shall not be applicable to milk through December 31,
2024; and
(B) section 1602(c) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9092(c)) shall
not be applicable to the crops of wheat planted for harvest
in calendar year 2024.
(d) Other Programs.--
(1) Conservation.--
(A) Grassroots source water protection program.--Section
1240O(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb-2(b)(3)) is amended--
(i) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
and'';
(ii) by striking ``use $5,000,000'' and inserting the
following: ``use--
``(A) $5,000,000''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) $1,000,000 beginning in fiscal year 2024, to remain
available until expended.''.
(B) Voluntary public access and habitat incentive
program.--Section 1240R(f)(1) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5(f)(1)) is amended--
(i) by striking ``and'' after ``2018,''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year
2024'' before the period at the end.
(C) Feral swine eradication and control pilot program.--
Section 2408(g)(1) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(7 U.S.C. 8351 note; Public Law 115-334) is amended by
inserting ``and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024'' before the
period at the end.
(2) Trade.--Section 302(h)(2) of the Bill Emerson
Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f-1(h)(2)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2024''.
(3) Nutrition.--Section 203D(d)(5) of the Emergency Food
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7507(d)(5)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2024''.
(4) Rural economic development program.--Section 313B(e)(2)
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c-
2(e)(2)) is amended by striking ``and 2023'' and inserting
``through 2024''.
(5) Research.--
(A) Scholarships for students.--Section 1446 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a) is amended--
(i) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``three'' and
inserting ``4''; and
(ii) in subsection (b)(1)--
(I) by striking ``Of'' and inserting the following:
``(A) Funding.--Of''; and
(II) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Additional funding.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of enactment of this subparagraph, of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make
available to carry out this section $10,000,000, to remain
available until expended.''.
(B) Urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural
production research, education, and extension initiative.--
Section 1672E(d)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925g(d)(1)) is amended--
(i) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
and'';
(ii) by striking ``section $10,000,000'' and inserting the
following: ``section--
``(A) $10,000,000''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, to remain available
until expended.''.
(C) Foundation for food and agriculture research.--Section
7601(g)(1)(A) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C.
5939(g)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Additional funding.--Not later than 30 days after
the date of enactment of this clause, of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to
the Foundation to carry out this section $37,000,000, to
remain available until expended.''.
(D) Grazinglands research laboratory.--Section 7502 of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-
246; 122 Stat. 2019; 132 Stat. 4817) shall be applied by
substituting ``the period beginning on the date of enactment
of this Act and ending on September 30, 2024'' for ``the 15-
year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act''.
(6) Energy.--
(A) Biobased markets program.--Section 9002(k)(1) of the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8102(k)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2024''.
(B) Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.--Section
9005(g)(1)(F) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105(g)(1)(F)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2024''.
(C) Feedstock flexibility program.--Section 9010(b) of the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8110(b)) is amended in paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) by
striking ``2023'' each place it appears and inserting
``2024''.
(7) Horticulture.--
(A) Organic production and market data initiatives.--
Section 7407(d)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5925c(d)(1)) is amended--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.''.
(B) Modernization and improvement of international trade
technology systems and data collection.--Section 2123(c)(4)
of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
6522(c)(4)) is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2024''
after ``2019''.
(C) National organic certification cost-share program.--
Section 10606(d)(1)(C) of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523(d)(1)(C)) is amended by
striking ``and 2023'' and inserting ``through 2024''.
(D) Multiple crop and pesticide use survey.--Section
10109(c)(1) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-334; 132 Stat. 4906) is amended by inserting
``and $100,000 for fiscal year 2024'' after ``2019''.
(8) Miscellaneous.--
(A) Pima agriculture cotton trust fund.--Section 12314 of
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2101 note; Public Law
113-79) is amended--
(i) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2024''; and
(ii) in subsection (h), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2024''.
(B) Agriculture wool apparel manufacturers trust fund.--
Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 7101
note; Public Law 113-79) is amended by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2024''.
(C) Wool research and promotion.--Section 12316(a) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 7101 note; Public Law 113-
79) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2024''.
(D) Emergency citrus disease research and development trust
fund.--Section 12605(d) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (7 U.S.C. 7632 note; Public Law 115-334) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2024''.
(E) Sheep production and marketing grant program.--Section
209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1627a(c)) is amended by inserting ``and $400,000 for fiscal
year 2024,'' after ``2019,''.
(9) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply with
respect to mandatory funding under the following provisions
of law:
(A) Section 1614(c)(4) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7
U.S.C. 9097(c)(4)).
(B) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1241(a)(1) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)).
(e) Reports.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), any requirement
under a provision of law described in subsection (a) to
submit a report on a recurring basis, and the final report
under which was required to be submitted during fiscal year
2023, shall continue, and the requirement shall be carried
out, on the same recurring basis, until the later of the
dates specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of that subsection.
(2) Appropriations required.--If discretionary
appropriations (as defined in section 250(c) of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C.
900(c))) are required to carry out a reporting requirement
described in paragraph (1), the application of that paragraph
to that reporting requirement shall be subject to the
availability of appropriations.
(f) Rescission.--Of the unobligated balances of amounts
made available under section 9003(g)(1)(A) of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8103(g)(1)(A)), $177,350,000 is rescinded.
(g) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made
by this section (except subsection (f) and the amendments
made by subparagraphs (A) and (C) of subsection (d)(5)) shall
be applied and administered as if this section and those
amendments had been enacted on September 30, 2023.
[[Page H5795]]
TITLE II--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Subtitle A--Public Health Extenders
SEC. 201. EXTENSION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, NATIONAL
HEALTH SERVICE CORPS, AND TEACHING HEALTH
CENTERS THAT OPERATE GME PROGRAMS.
(a) Teaching Health Centers That Operate Graduate Medical
Education Programs.--Section 340H(g)(1) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256h(g)) is amended by striking ``and
$16,635,616 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and
ending on November 17, 2023'' and inserting ``$16,635,616 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on
November 17, 2023, and $21,834,247 for the period beginning
on November 18, 2023, and ending on January 19, 2024''.
(b) Extension for Community Health Centers.--Section
10503(b)(1)(F) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (42 U.S.C. 254b-2(b)(1)(F)), as amended by the Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, is further
amended by striking ``and $526,027,397 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17,
2023'' and inserting ``$526,027,397 for the period beginning
on October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, and
$690,410,959 for the period beginning on November 18, 2023,
and ending on January 19, 2024''.
(c) Extension for the National Health Service Corps.--
Section 10503(b)(2)(I) of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 254b-2(b)(2)(I)), as amended
by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other
Extensions Act, is further amended by striking ``$40,767,123
for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on
November 17, 2023'' and inserting ``$40,767,123 for the
period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on November
17, 2023, and $53,506,849 for the period beginning on
November 18, 2023, and ending on January 19, 2024''.
(d) Application of Provisions.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to the amendments made by this section shall be
subject to the requirements contained in Public Law 117-328
for funds for programs authorized under sections 330 through
340 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b et
seq.).
(e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3014(h)(4) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``and section
2321(d) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other
Extensions Act'' and inserting ``section 2321(d) of the
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act,
and section 201(d) of the Further Continuing Appropriations
and Other Extensions Act, 2024''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS.
(a) Extension of Special Diabetes Programs for Type I
Diabetes.--Section 330B(b)(2)(E) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-2(b)(2)(E)), as amended by the Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, is further
amended by striking ``$19,726,027 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023'' and
inserting ``$19,726,027 for the period beginning on October
1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, and $25,890,411 for
the period beginning on November 18, 2023, and ending on
January 19, 2024''.
(b) Extending Funding for Special Diabetes Programs for
Indians.--Section 330C(c)(2)(E) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-3(c)(2)(E)), as amended by the Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, is further
amended by striking ``$19,726,027 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023'' and
inserting ``$19,726,027 for the period beginning on October
1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, and $25,890,411 for
the period beginning on November 18, 2023, and ending on
January 19, 2024''.
SEC. 203. NATIONAL HEALTH SECURITY EXTENSIONS.
(a) Section 319(e)(8) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 247d(e)(8)) is amended by striking ``November 17,
2023'' and inserting ``January 19, 2024''.
(b) Section 319L(e)(1)(D) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 247d-7e(e)(1)(D)) is amended by striking ``on the
date that is 17 years after the date of enactment of the
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act'' and inserting
``after January 19, 2024''.
(c) Section 319L-1(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 247d-7f(b)) is amended by striking ``at the end of the
17-year period that begins on the date of enactment of this
Act'' and inserting ``after January 19, 2024''.
(d)(1) Section 2811A(g) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300hh-10b(g)) is amended by striking ``November
17, 2023'' and inserting ``January 19, 2024''.
(2) Section 2811B(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300hh-10c(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``November
17, 2023'' and inserting ``January 19, 2024''.
(3) Section 2811C(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300hh-10d(g)(1)) is amended by striking ``November
17, 2023'' and inserting ``January 19, 2024''.
(e) Section 2812(c)(4)(B) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(c)(4)(B)) is amended by striking
``November 17, 2023'' and inserting ``January 19, 2024''.
Subtitle B--Medicaid
SEC. 301. DELAYING CERTAIN DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE PAYMENT
CUTS.
Section 1923(f)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396r-4(f)(7)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``November 18, 2023'' and
inserting ``January 20, 2024''; and
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``November 18, 2023'' and
inserting ``January 20, 2024''.
SEC. 302. MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT FUND REDUCTION.
Section 1941(b)(3)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396w-1(b)(3)(A)), as amended by the Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act, is further
amended by striking ``$6,357,117,810'' and inserting
``5,796,117,810''.
Subtitle C--Human Services
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS.
Activities authorized by part B of title IV of the Social
Security Act shall continue through January 19, 2024, in the
manner authorized for fiscal year 2023, and out of any money
in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise
appropriated, there are hereby appropriated such sums as may
be necessary for such purpose.
SEC. 402. SEXUAL RISK AVOIDANCE EDUCATION EXTENSION.
Section 510 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 710), as
amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other
Extensions Act, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``and for the period beginning on October
1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023'' and inserting ``,
for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on
November 17, 2023, and for the period beginning on November
18, 2023, and ending on January 19, 2024''; and
(ii) by striking ``with respect to such period'' and
inserting ``with respect to the applicable period'';
(B) in paragraphs (2)(A), by striking ``for the period''
and inserting ``for the applicable period''; and
(C) in paragraphs (2)(B), by striking ``for the period''
and inserting ``for the applicable period''; and
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and for the period
beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17,
2023, an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the amount
appropriated for the corresponding period for fiscal year
2023'' and inserting ``for the period beginning on October 1,
2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, an amount equal to the
pro rata portion of the amount appropriated for the
corresponding period for fiscal year 2023, and for the period
beginning on November 18, 2023, and ending on January 19,
2024, an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the amount
appropriated for the corresponding period for fiscal year
2023''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``for the period'' and
inserting ``for the applicable period''.
SEC. 403. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION EXTENSION.
Section 513 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 713), as
amended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other
Extensions Act, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and for the period
beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17,
2023,'' and inserting ``, for the period beginning on October
1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, and for the period
beginning on November 18, 2023, and ending on January 19,
2024,''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting after ``November
17, 2023'' the following: ``, and for the period beginning on
November 18, 2023, and ending on January 19, 2024'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``for a fiscal
year or the period'' and inserting ``for a fiscal year or
period''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``for a fiscal year or
the period'' and inserting ``for a fiscal year or period'';
and
(C) in paragraph (4)(A)--
(i) by striking ``for the period'' each place it appears
and inserting ``for each period''; and
(ii) by striking ``for a fiscal year or the period'' and
inserting ``for a fiscal year or period'';
(D) in paragraph (4)(B)(i), by striking ``the period
described in paragraph (1)(A)'' and inserting ``each period
described in paragraph (1)(A)'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``for the period
described in subsection (a)(1)(A)'' and inserting ``for a
period described in subsection (a)(1)(A) for fiscal year
2024''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2023, and for the
period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on November
17, 2023, an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the
amount appropriated for the corresponding period for fiscal
year 2023'' and inserting ``2023, for the period beginning on
October 1, 2023, and ending on November 17, 2023, an amount
equal to the pro rata portion of the amount appropriated for
the corresponding period for fiscal year 2023, and for the
period beginning on November 18, 2023, and ending on January
19, 2024, an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the
amount appropriated for the corresponding period for fiscal
year 2023''.
Subtitle D--Medicare
SEC. 501. EXTENDING FLOOR FOR WORK GEOGRAPHIC INDEX.
Section 1848(e)(1)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w-4(e)(1)(E)) is amended by striking ``January 1, 2024''
and inserting ``January 20, 2024''.
[[Page H5796]]
SEC. 502. REVISING PHASE-IN OF MEDICARE CLINICAL LABORATORY
TEST PAYMENT CHANGES.
(a) Revised Phase-in of Reductions From Private Payor Rate
Implementation.--Section 1834A(b)(3) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2027''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2024''; and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ``2024 through 2026'' and
inserting ``2025 through 2027''.
(b) Revised Reporting Period for Reporting of Private
Sector Payment Rates for Establishment of Medicare Payment
Rates.--Section 1834A(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2024''; and
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``2024'' each place it
appears and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 503. MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``$180,000,000'' and
inserting ``$466,795,056''.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS EXTENSIONS
SEC. 601. COUNTER-UAS AUTHORITIES.
Section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 124n(i)) is amended by striking ``November 18, 2023''
and inserting ``February 3, 2024''.
TITLE IV--BUDGETARY EFFECTS
SEC. 701. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
(a) Statutory PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of
this division shall not be entered on either PAYGO scorecard
maintained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-
You-Go Act of 2010.
(b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of this
division shall not be entered on any PAYGO scorecard
maintained for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71
(115th Congress).
(c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding
Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference
accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, the budgetary effects of this division shall not be
estimated--
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act;
(2) for purposes of an allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations pursuant to section 302(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
(3) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an
appropriation Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
General Leave
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the continuing resolution,
H.R. 6363.
Before my discussion of the CR, I want to explain our process. At the
beginning of Congress, House Republicans said they would change how
Washington works. Today, we have sent seven appropriations bills
totaling 75 percent of government funding. The Senate passed just three
of its bills.
We still have a lot more work to do to get full-year bills enacted
into law. That is why I support the Speaker's reasonable plan to
continue government funding into early next year. It buys us time to
agree on a top-line funding level and negotiate final bills with the
Senate.
More importantly, this plan will allow us to avoid harmful government
shutdowns during the holidays, prevent a last-minute omnibus, and allow
us to discuss supplemental funding separately from full-year spending.
A continuing resolution is not ideal, but it is needed at this time.
I thank the Speaker for choosing this very practical plan while we work
out our political differences.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this CR, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, once again, the Republican majority needs Democratic
votes to govern. We are considering this bill under suspension of the
rules because House Republicans could not agree to pass a rule on a
bill to keep the government open and operating on behalf of the
American people. They can't do it. It says something very poignant
about the ability to govern and the willingness to govern.
This continuing resolution is flawed. Critically, it does nothing to
help our allies. It does not include any emergency assistance for
Israel, Ukraine, or our Indo-Pacific partners, for humanitarian aid,
for childcare, or for disaster victims here at home.
At a time when the Departments of State and Defense need to be able
to respond quickly to global crises, House Republicans would put our
diplomats and warfighters under outdated funding levels into February,
for more than one-third of the fiscal year.
Not only is it irresponsible to kick the can down the road for
several months, but it is really a waste of taxpayer dollars, and these
are folks who pride themselves on wanting to save taxpayer dollars.
This proposal also shortchanges the WIC program, the women, infants,
and children program. As a result of increased participation rates, the
administration requested an additional $405 million to ensure that we
can meet the demand for nutrition programs. The House Republican
proposal includes no additional funds and will require States to halt
enrollment or scale back benefits.
A continuing resolution is a bridge to a final agreement. It should
be judged on how it helps facilitate our goal, which is to update
spending levels for full-year bills and the full-year bill of 2024. A
so-called laddered bill makes it harder to reach a final agreement.
Why? Because it doubles the likelihood of future shutdowns. In a time
of global crisis, we should promote stability and not chaos.
Ultimately, we are here because House Republicans broke the June
budget agreement they overwhelmingly supported that was signed into law
by the President. It established a top line, the amount of money that
could be translated into the dollar amount to each one of the
appropriations subcommittees.
To make it simple, Mr. Speaker, it is a number that we agreed to,
then you take that number, and it gets broken up into pieces. That is
the majority's responsibility. I took that responsibility last December
in the prior year in dealing with the allocation to each one of the 12
appropriations subcommittees. They then proceeded to waste the entire 6
weeks of the current stopgap bill overthrowing their own Speaker and
pushing partisan spending measures that take us further from a final
agreement.
Congress must avoid a shutdown.
I have just one point, Mr. Speaker. I think it is so interesting that
we are discussing this continuing resolution at the same time--and I
happen to be managing both bills--that the Labor-HHS-Education bill is
on the floor and when we are going through a marathon of 146
amendments. It is the same path we were on for the last several weeks,
where two bills had to be pulled from the floor because there weren't
enough votes to pass them.
I don't know if there are the votes to pass the Labor-HHS bill this
afternoon or this evening or tomorrow morning. I just don't know.
Nevertheless, it is the same path that we are on.
Nothing is changed in looking at a continuing resolution that makes
an additional proposal.
Again, Congress must avoid a shutdown. That is our responsibility. I
am very aware of that. Nonetheless, we must find a path forward to
finish full-year bills.
The worth of this agreement will be proven by what comes next, and
the only successful path forward requires the following.
First, the majority must recognize reality and abide by the
bipartisan budget agreement that accompanied the debt-limit law.
I think I am one of the few in this institution who voted against the
budget agreement. I was fearful of where we would be today, and it is
where we are today. Nevertheless, I understand the law of the land: It
passes in the House. It passes in the Senate. The President signs it.
It becomes the law of the land.
We must abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that accompanied
[[Page H5797]]
the debt-limit law. That means a modest increase for defense programs
and maintaining nondefense investment levels. It also means adhering to
the same policy framework that we have adopted on a bipartisan--that is
Democrats and Republicans--bicameral--House and Senate--basis.
We have this done over and over again. That means no new poison pill
riders. We have done this over and over again. We did it just last
December and the prior December.
Second, the Appropriations Committee must be let loose to effectuate
the agreement, and that means a good-faith negotiation to set the
allocations for all 12 bills. Chair Granger and I have done this
before, and she knows that I am ready to get to work to do it again.
In the Senate, Chair Murray and Ranking Member Collins are already on
a path to dealing with following the budget agreement so that we hold
down the four corners of appropriations. I am so proud that we are all
women. We get it. We are on track. We know how to do this.
Lastly, we have to address the crises across the globe that threaten
our allies, endangering our own national security. That means a
promise--a promise--to work in good faith to bring forward an emergency
supplemental bill that deals with Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian needs,
our influence in the Indo-Pacific, and border security.
Why are we holding up the resources and investments to the American
people? Why are we abdicating our leadership in the world community by
not moving forward? Why is it when the world is clamoring for
humanitarian assistance that the only people holding back humanitarian
assistance in this entire Congress on the House side and on the Senate
side were the Republican majority?
Mr. Speaker, let us move forward. That is the only way that we avoid
finding ourselves right back here in January and February, considering
another extension.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1615
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert), who is the chairman of the Defense
Subcommittee.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
6363, which will prevent a government shutdown.
Over the past several months, House Republicans have been hard at
work passing appropriations bills to cover over 75 percent of Federal
discretionary spending. We also passed the supplemental appropriations
bill to support our ally, Israel.
As a chairman of the Defense Subcommittee, I am proud of our Members'
work to pass a bipartisan fiscal year `24 Defense spending bill with a
high level of Member input.
However, the Senate has been unable to pass all their appropriations
bills in a timely manner and, unfortunately, this means we need more
time to complete the FY24 appropriations process.
H.R. 6363 extends current spending to January and February of next
year. This split approach incentivizes the Senate to negotiate with us
on all 12 bills.
For our military, this bill ensures our troops continue their mission
without fear of missing a paycheck. It also includes anomalies to keep
the Columbia-class submarine, which is the top modernization priority
of the Department of Defense, United States Navy, on schedule.
For those of us who have been in Congress for a shutdown, we have
seen firsthand the damage it does to our military readiness. A shutdown
would prevent any contract changes or new contracts for the entire
Department of Defense. It would require Active-Duty servicemembers to
report to work without pay. It would close essential base services for
military families. It would reduce training, and it would create a long
list of other hardships for the United States military.
As threats like China and Russia continue their provocation, we must
avoid these failures at all costs. As an appropriator, I know how
imperative it is that Congress carries out its constitutional
responsibility and passes the 12 appropriations bills as soon as
possible.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bill.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman
from Connecticut for her leadership as former chair and ranking member.
I thank my good friend from Texas, as well.
I think they are completely accurate that left to their own devices,
we could have an appropriations process that would work, but I thank
Chairwoman DeLauro for laying the groundwork of the crisis that we are
now in.
Let us be very clear: It is the Democrats who have come to save
America and to stop this dastardly shutdown. As I have listened to the
debate on the Labor-HHS, all I could see was the crushing of the
American spirit, the eliminating of GEAR UP and TRIO, the very programs
that give a lifeline to young people across America; a stamping down of
the greatest of our aspirations.
Weeks ago, the President gave to us a supplemental for Ukraine and
Israel and the border, ensuring that we would be able to provide
funding and engage the way we should for Defense. And now we are
hearing that in a crisis, we don't even have humanitarian aid that is
needed in Gaza.
All we are doing here is kicking the can, but thank goodness
Democrats are able to say that we refuse to shut down the government
and it is because of the cities that are so desperately in need. How
dare we put our cities in this catastrophe of having a government
shutdown?
In the State of Texas--I am here today to vote for this CR--172,877
Active-Duty and Reserve personnel and their families would not be paid.
What would impact the city of Houston is: $2,742,702,800 in funding
to small businesses in Texas would not get that funding for creating
jobs. They are the job engine of America and Houston will be
devastatingly impacted;
176,276 persons traveling through Bush Intercontinental Airport and
our airports in Texas would face slowdowns because TSA would not be
working;
786,686 people in Texas would lose access to their nutrition
programs--women, infant, and children denied food;
168,413 Federal workers in our city alone laid off, and;
3,291,584 beneficiaries would not have the SNAP program to feed their
families.
This is shameful. But we are here today to ensure the government does
not shut down and to make sure that, even though it is not perfect,
even though the bills that we are watching that Republicans say they
are doing, are literally taking the lifeline out of the hands of our
fellow Americans, not doing border security, not providing humanitarian
assistance that is needed, but yet Democrats stood tall. We are going
to fund this at FY23. We are not going to have the draconian taking
away of reproductive rights.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, we would not have the denying of
reproductive rights, discriminating against people because of their
LGBTQ+, or discriminating against them because of race or immigrant
status. We won't have any of those draconian provisions in there. Thank
God we will not have the cuts that we have seen that would hurt the
American people, hurt Texans, hurt Houstonians.
The CR is the right way right now because we have no other door, and
it will be Democrats that will save America, save our 50 States, save
Texas, save our cities, save Houston. I am here today to ensure that we
move forward so that we can do what is right by the American people.
Mr. Speaker, when Congress fails to do its job, the consequences are
real.
Families suffer, the economy takes a hit, and government costs rise--
all unnecessarily.
H.R. 6363, Further Continuing Appropriations, and other Extensions
Act of 2024 proves one thing, this weak Republican majority is unable
to govern without help from the Democratic Caucus.
Instead of working to finish the FY 2024 funding process between now
and when the first CR was enacted, House Republicans wasted time by
ousting their own leader, further propelling the House into chaos and
[[Page H5798]]
bringing partisan bills to the floor that not only have zero chance of
becoming law but include massive cuts and poison pill riders that move
us further apart, not closer to resolution.
H.R. 6363 would avoid a government shutdown today, but kicks the can
down the road and adds unnecessary complexities that will increase the
likelihood of future shutdowns by creating two separate CR dates.
January 19, 2024: Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs and Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development.
February 2, 2024: The remaining eight.
This legislation also lacks emergency funds requested by the Biden
Administration to accommodate increased participation in WIC.
An estimated $405 million is needed in the second quarter is needed
to administer the program.
This legislation also lacks emergency supplemental funding for
Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian assistance, childcare, disaster victims,
broadband, Indo-Pacific allies, and a number of other pressing
priorities.
Although this legislation is flawed in many significant ways, a
government shut down would be devastating for Americans across the
country.
A government shutdown would hurt hard working families in Texas:
172,877 active duty and reserve personnel serving our nation's armed
forces in Texas would be forced to go without the pay they earn during
a shutdown.
The Small Business Administration would stop processing small
business loans, halting a program that provides $2,742,702,800 in
funding to small businesses in Texas every year.
176,276 people flying through Texas airports every day would face
potential delays and safety concerns due to staffing impacts on TSA
agents and air traffic controllers.
786,686 people in Texas would soon lose access to Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
benefits.
168,413 federal workers in Texas would be furloughed or forced to
work without pay, in addition to the many employees of businesses with
government contracts who could be laid off, furloughed, or see their
hours cut.
Workers at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be sidelined,
risking interruptions and delays to the 892 food safety, pharmaceutical
manufacturing, and other inspections conducted in Texas last year.
The Department of Agriculture would be forced to stop processing
housing loans, which provide $456,125,359 in funding to help 2,742
families in rural Texas communities buy homes every year.
The Department of Agriculture would be forced to stop processing farm
loans which provide $209,391,000 in funding for farmers in Texas every
year.
3,291,584 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
beneficiaries in Texas would lose access to benefits in a prolonged
shutdown.
5,413,161 people who visit national parks in Texas every year would
be turned away or unable to fully access parks, monuments, and museums.
State governments would be forced to pay for federal services like
the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, potentially
risking benefits for the 20,846 TANF beneficiaries in Texas.
A government shutdown would hurt working families, damage our
economy, interrupt vital services, endanger our national security, and
force millions of our troops and government employees to work without
pay.
It is time to get serious, it is time to do the work we are required
to do as Members of Congress regardless of our political stripes.
Congress has a responsibility to keep our government open, and I hope
we can work with House Republicans and the Senate to facilitate the
timely completion of full-year spending bills and a supplemental
package.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), the chairman of Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies Subcommittee.
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
yielding me this time.
I rise today in strong support of the continuing resolution. With
government funding set to expire on Friday, this legislation is
necessary to ensure we avoid a harmful government shutdown. There is no
other option.
The bill before us extends government funding until either January 19
or February 2 depending on the agency. It also includes temporary
extensions for critical expiring programs, such as Community Health
Centers, the National Flood Insurance Program, and others that are
important to rural regions like Kentucky's Fifth District.
Plus, on the heels of Veterans Day, it ensures that we continue
providing critical resources to our military, defending America around
the world, and takes care of our country's heroic veterans.
While a CR is not my preferred method of conducting business, a
government shutdown right before the holidays, does our Nation no good.
We need more time to complete our fiscal year `24 to give the House a
better negotiating position with the Senate so we can eventually pass
full-year appropriations bills.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge Members to vote for this CR.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann), the chairman of the Energy and Water
Subcommittee.
Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing
Appropriations Act. I applaud Speaker Johnson for his leadership in
avoiding a harmful government shutdown, especially near the holidays. I
also thank Chairwoman Granger for her work in putting together this
clean continuing resolution.
No one dislikes CRs more than the Appropriations Committee. As
chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I know
the importance of enacting full-year bills to address issues like the
nuclear weapons modernization programs at the Department of Energy and
the navigation, flood and storm-damage reduction projects of the Army
Corps of Engineers.
House Republicans all agree we need to get the Federal Government on
a more fiscally responsible path, but lengthy government shutdowns
don't save money. They actually cost more money. The CR will give us
time to reach an agreement on a top-line spending level and to
negotiate final bills with the United States Senate.
The two-step deadlines will also prevent a massive omnibus right
before the holidays. A vote in favor of this continuing resolution is
the only fiscally responsible vote.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Joyce), the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the
continuing resolution.
Every Member of this body has a duty to ensure that the core,
constitutional responsibilities of our government are funded. That work
is not easy. Our Democratic colleagues will, of course, have different
views on the top-line spending levels and we will have to work through
those sharp differences in spending and policy preferences.
Republicans already passed seven fiscal year 2024 bills through the
House outlining our priorities. Each of those bills was considered
individually and allowed Members of both parties to offer amendments
considered on the merits.
Passing bills through regular order is not as clean or as easy as we
would like it to be, but it is a better alternative than one huge
omnibus bill passed right before Christmas. There is no question about
it: More work will be required to enact all 12 appropriations bills
into law. The bill before us gives us the time necessary to agree on a
top-line spending amount and negotiate difficult policy choices in the
final fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman of the full committee, Ms.
Granger, for her knowledge, her leadership, and tireless efforts to
bring these appropriations bills to the floor, and I look forward to
working alongside her as we finish the fiscal year 2024 spending bills.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Harris), the chairman of Agriculture Subcommittee.
Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 6363, a bill
that would keep the government operating
[[Page H5799]]
while putting Congress on a path toward fiscal responsibility. We
simply can't continue to pass large, bloated omnibus appropriations
bills just before Christmas, and this bill is a new approach to break
the cycle.
Moody's changed the outlook of the Nation's debt on Friday to
negative. Rising interest rates from Bidenomics, the sharp increase in
public debt, and a lack of agreement on measures to reduce the public
deficit led to that downgrade.
This should be a wake-up call for all of us. This bill gives us time
to complete our work in a fiscally responsible manner while working
toward a more normal appropriations process.
Additionally, I would specifically address concerns for funding of
the WIC program. I have heard our colleagues on the other side of the
aisle use scare tactics and a straw man that this bill does not
provide enough funding for WIC and the States will have to have a wait
list for participants. Nothing could be further from the absolute
truth.
Let me remind everyone that provisions in the first CR continue in
this bill, so the Department of Agriculture has the authority to
maintain WIC participation, period.
If States need more money, they should ask USDA for funding, not
start wait lists. USDA and OMB have the authority to work together to
fully fund the program, and if they don't, it is 100 percent the fault
of the Biden administration.
It is shameful that advocacy groups and the Biden administration's
team use such scare tactics when they know full well they have the
ability to fully fund WIC for the duration of this continuing
resolution.
I thank Speaker Johnson for his leadership in restoring fiscal
restraint and supporting a new approach to control spending.
I also thank Chairwoman Granger for her leadership and dedication in
moving the FY24 House appropriations bills forward. The world has taken
notice of the unsustainable spending and debt which undermines our
credibility as a world leader.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6363 to
put us on the path to fiscal responsibility.
{time} 1630
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
As you know, Mr. Calvert is the chair of the Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee and a very respected member. I don't see him on the floor
now. He is someone who cares deeply about our national security here at
home and our international obligations and responsibilities.
I mention a couple of things in this context. As of this bill, $28
billion for the Department of Defense is held up until next February,
and that depends whether or not we can come to agreement. Next
February, $28 billion to the Department of Defense.
The other piece of this is that the State Foreign Operations, and
Related Agencies Subcommittee and the Defense Subcommittee have shared
responsibilities. As you know from reading this laddered approach,
those two bills will not get to a continuing resolution until February
2.
What do they do that has relevance in this period of time? The State,
Foreign Operations and Related Agencies Subcommittee has a very small
amount of money in which they can move humanitarian assistance in this
global crisis that we have and the world clamoring for humanitarian
assistance.
Now, the State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies Subcommittee
and the Defense Subcommittee share some other pieces which have to do
with funding for Ukraine and funding for Israel. The $3.3 billion to
Israel is held up until next February, and money for Ukraine, which is
depleted, is nowhere to be found; so we are walking off the
international stage. We have abdicated a moral responsibility to Israel
and Ukraine--not unlike what happened in 1938 with appeasement--and to
humanitarian assistance. Think about who was responsible for that.
There is another piece of this which I think is very, very
interesting. We have seen the delay. It has been 5 months since we had
the budget agreement in June, so 5 months of delay there. Then another
45 days of delay.
I said a few moments ago, given what we have seen on the floor with
regard to Labor-HHS today, I don't understand what is going to change
in this next go-round. There is every opportunity for further delays.
Further delays.
What happens then is we move toward something called sequestration.
Let me translate it into real terms. Those are across-the-board cuts in
every single area, both domestic and international. That is what the
law has done here.
There appears to be no understanding or no consideration for the
movement of where we need to go. We have a history now of delay after
delay after delay, and I don't see anything that portends a change in
that activity or behavior.
With regard to those across-the-board cuts, if all 12 appropriations
bills are not passed--not 8, not 4--and there is one hanging out there,
that across-the-board cut comes crashing down on our heads. I think
people just need to know this information and fully understand.
I don't want a government shutdown--I don't--but I want to fully
understand what the stakes are. I have to believe that every Member of
this body wants to know what the stakes are and what is actually in
these bills.
Finally, I am going back to something I said earlier: Who is holding
up the resources that the American people are clamoring for, whether it
is their health, their education, or their ability for a job? Every
bill that we have seen on this floor curtails and cuts back in a
remarkable way.
In the Labor-HHS bill, they are taking us back to 2008 numbers. The
resources that the American public needs to thrive are being cut back.
People in this country are living paycheck to paycheck, and we are
doing nothing to help them deal with their cost of living. I believe
that they know that. On the domestic front, we are shortchanging the
American people.
Let's get to the international scene. Who is holding up aid to
Israel? Who is holding up funding the support for Ukraine? When did we
believe that Vladimir Putin has noble intentions? He would gobble it up
in a nanosecond. Who would believe who was holding up humanitarian
assistance?
We have a moral responsibility. We are watching children in Ukraine,
Israel, and Gaza dying, but we don't have the strength to blow past
this and say let's do what we have been charged to do by this
Constitution and carry out our duty.
House Republicans are holding up all of these critical security
funding needs. Think about it and think about how we should break the
logjam with people who know better in this institution. Get us those
top-line numbers. Get us the allocations. Get the appropriations
process on track. Fund the bills for 2024.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Crawford). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6363, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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