The House of Representatives passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill for FY2018 by a 211-198 vote Thursday. The 12-measure bill (H.R. 3354) includes eight bills, measuring some $500 billion appropriated for domestic agencies, bundled to the four-bill $700 billion minibus (primarily defense spending) which passed earlier this year.
“The appropriations package before us this morning puts the House on the right path to completing its annual appropriations work for the entire federal government,” House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen said on the floor just before passage.
Under the terms of the bill, spending for the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs would increase, while the State Department would see the sharpest decrease—roughly $10 billion or 17 percent. In total, House leaders allowed floor debate on over 460 amendments, dedicated 8 days in session and over two months to the bill.
The bill now moves to the Senate for approval. Spending negotiations are expected to continue through the fall as the Senate has yet to consider any of the spending bills for next year. Senate Democrats can block the spending bill on procedural votes.
On September 8, President Trump signed a continuing resolution (H.R. 601) to keep the government funded at current levels through December 8. After the Senate acts on a spending package, a negotiation is expected between the two chambers in mid-December.
