Press Releases

Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal voted to pass the second of two appropriations bills, averting a sixth government shutdown in as many months. This legislation supports education and job training and placement programs, reinforces America’s global leadership, and keeps communities safe and secure.

“Once again, the adults in the room have delivered for the American people. In the face of a sixth government shutdown, Democrats put people over politics and delivered a majority of votes to keep the government open,” said Congressman Neal. “The two appropriations bills we have ushered in throughout the last two weeks deliver on our nation’s priorities and build upon the progress we have made over the last three years. The legislation passed today will support our men and women in uniform, invest in lifesaving biomedical research, and deliver for America’s working families.”

This second government funding package includes:

• An increase of $120 million for cancer research at the National Institutes of Health.
• Authorization for a $1 billion increase in climate change and resilience activities at the Department of Defense, as well as $40 billion for medical and health care programs of the Department of Defense.
• Support for America’s small businesses by providing an increase of $30 million for the Small Business Administration.
• An increase of $1 billion for Child Care and Head Start to expand access to quality child care for America’s working families.

“I am pleased that this legislation will support the brave men and women at Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base, authorizing a 5.2 percent pay increase and a 5.4% increase in the Basic Allowance for Housing,” continued Congressman Neal. “This bill also upholds a number of priorities throughout the First District of Massachusetts, including support for the future deployment of F-35As at Barnes and ongoing efforts to address PFAS contamination in the City of Westfield and Berkshire County. In addition, the bill authorizes funding that will promote businesses across western and central Massachusetts and the hundreds of good-paying jobs they create, such as General Dynamics in Pittsfield and Warren Pumps in Warren.”

This package includes the following funding bills: Defense; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Legislative Branch; and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

A detailed summary of the legislation is available here.

A package containing six additional appropriations bills for FY24 passed the House earlier this month and was signed into law by President Biden on March 9.

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