Congress Approves Short-Term Funding While Final 2023 Budget Is Finalized
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved funding to keep the federal government operating for a brief period to prevent a shutdown as lawmakers work toward the full 2023 budget. This information comes from DEA News.
The interim funding covers the period from December 23 to December 30. This pause in the budget process gives lawmakers time to complete negotiations and pass a comprehensive spending plan for the new year.
After the interim spending is signed into law, the focus shifts to the larger budget package. The House is expected to pass a $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 budget and send it to President Joe Biden for signature. Within that overall package, roughly $45 billion is earmarked for Ukraine assistance. [DEA News]
On December 23, President Biden signed the defense authorization for fiscal year 2023, a package valued at about $850 billion. The defense budget reflects an increase from the previous year, rising to $847.3 billion from $778 billion. Additional funding supports foreign aid, with about $10 billion allocated to military assistance for Taiwan and $800 million for Ukraine. An extra $6 billion is directed to deterrence efforts related to Russia in Europe. [DEA News]
Earlier reporting indicated that the draft 2023 budget assigns roughly $798 billion in discretionary spending, representing an increase of about 10 percent compared with 2022. [DEA News]
These spending decisions illustrate how the government balances national security, foreign aid, and domestic priorities while working through a tight legislative timetable. The ongoing negotiations aim to align the final budget with strategic objectives, ensuring critical programs remain funded while addressing evolving economic and security needs for the upcoming year. [DEA News]