Senator Carper Statement on Senate Passage of Six Bipartisan Bills for FY24 Funding

Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the bipartisan funding agreement, H.R.4366, by a vote of 75 – 22. The appropriations legislation would provide over $120 million for 50 projects in Delaware and finalizes funding through the end of Fiscal Year 2024 for: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies.

“After delaying the process to properly fund our federal government for months, I’m glad we were able to finally come together – Democrats and Republicans – to pass the first six bills needed for our federal agencies to continue operations through Fiscal Year 2024. I want to thank Senators Murray and Collins for their tireless commitment to finding a bipartisan solution for the good of the American people.

“With this legislation, working American families can rest assured that our economy will continue to grow and improve with investments in our nation’s infrastructure. Our military families will feel the benefits of record investments in health care services and programs to end veteran homelessness. And the nearly 7 million women and children who depend on critical programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children will have these benefits protected.

“I was disappointed to see a cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget, but thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, there is no question the agency is much better supported than it was under the previous administration. And thankfully, we defended against harmful riders that could have blocked our progress on climate, and provided historic funding to the Army Corps of Engineers.

“But our work is not done. As I often say, bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions, and just as we have successfully passed a strong bipartisan package today, we must also continue to press forward on finding a bipartisan compromise for the remaining six appropriations bills. It’s time we finish the job.”

###