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Congress Averts Federal Government Shutdown with Only Minutes to Spare
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy surprised Members of Congress on the last day of the fiscal year this Saturday by suspending rules and finally bringing to the House Floor a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) with only additional disaster relief funding that was agreed to by a vote of 335-91 (See how your House member voted.) The Senate then passed the identical House bill shortly after by an 88-9-2 vote (See how your Senator voted.) Dramatically culminating with President Biden signing the CR into law and posting it on the White House’s social media at 11:28 p.m. with only 32 minutes to spare, this temporary CR will now fund the federal government’s operations and provide new disaster relief funding only through November 17, 2023, and will be set at current fiscal year 2023 levels (no cuts). This gives the Senate and primarily the House an opportunity to pass the 12 long-term appropriations bills for the full FY 24 fiscal year through 9/30/24; otherwise, we’re looking at more shutdown talks right before Thanksgiving.
White House Releases Official Proclamation for National Arts and Humanities Month in October
President Biden stated, "During the throes of the American Revolution, General George Washington wrote a letter to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences saying, 'The arts and sciences [are] essential to the prosperity of the State and… the ornament and happiness of human life.' His words are a reminder that, since our founding days, America’s arts and humanities have helped tell the story of our Nation. They represent the freedom of expression that empowers Americans to speak and think independently and creatively. They build bridges of understanding by chronicling the shared experiences of hope, heartbreak, joy, and pain that help us see ourselves in one another. And they record and wrestle with the truth of our history while envisioning all the possibilities our future holds. During National Arts and Humanities Month, we celebrate all the artists and scholars whose works depict the rich, enduring soul of our Nation." To read the full proclamation, please visit the White House briefing room webpage.
House Defunds State Department’s 60-year-old Art in Embassies Program in FY’24 Appropriations Bill with a Voice Vote
On Thursday night, September 28th, the House of Representatives passed its version of the FY'24 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill that included a last-minute amendment by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) that would zero-out all funding for the State Department’s highly effective diplomatic Art in Embassies program. Unfortunately, this amendment passed by an unrecorded voice vote. You can read the floor debate on the issue in the Congressional Record. We will focus next on the Senate and the White House to ensure this important program is retained in the FY’24 appropriations bill. It’s safe for now as the just passed CR retains all funding for current federal programs and agencies. Another harmful amendment that was to be offered by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) would have made a 10 percent cut to the cultural diplomacy and artist exchange programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), was officially withdrawn for consideration and not included in the House passage of the bill.
California Labor Leader and Emily’s List President Laphonza Butler Chosen to Fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Term through at Least the November 2024 Election
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) quickly announced his pick yesterday to fill the Senate seat previously held by recently deceased Senator Dianne Feinstein. Governor Newsom followed through on his own campaign pledge to appoint an African-American woman to the seat by choosing long-time California labor leader and current president of Emily’s List Laphonza Butler. This quick appointment helps Democrats retain control of the Senate through 2024, especially considering recent criminal bribery charges against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). Vice President Kamala Harris will swear in Laphonza Butler tomorrow on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol.