A $1.2 trillion appropriations bill President Joe Biden signed last week included about $117 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as funding for the departments of State, Homeland Security, Defense, and Labor.
Biden’s signature followed a 286-134 House vote and 74-24 Senate vote to pass the package, which also includes funds for foreign operations, financial services, and the legislative branch. Earlier this month, Biden signed a separate spending bill for other government functions. That earlier bill included a provision to eliminate an $8 billion cut to Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) funding for fiscal year (FY) 2024. It also delayed by three months the FY 2025 DSH cut, which will give lawmakers time after the general election to consider further action on DSH funding.
Motion to Vacate
Far-right conservatives in the House, upset that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) negotiated appropriations deals with Democrats, might seek to oust him. Notably, 112 Republicans voted no on last week’s appropriations package, including eight committee chairs, compared with just 101 for the measure. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) filed a motion to vacate the chair just before the House left for recess. Greene has referred to it as a “warning” for Johnson and has not set a date for a floor vote. The motion is the same maneuver used to oust former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakership in October 2023 amid GOP divisions on funding.
Committee Activity This Week
Both the House and Senate are in recess for the next two weeks.
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