CONGRESSMAN BISHOP SUPPORTS BIPARTISAN, TEMPORARY FUNDING BILL TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OPEN THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, supported the passage of H.R. 6363, a continuing resolution providing funding to keep the federal government open into early 2024. The bill also provides a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill as Congress continues work on a full, five-year reauthorization bill which covers agriculture, nutrition, and rural development programs. H.R. 6363 was approved with bipartisan support, 336-95, and now heads to the U.S. Senate. Congressman Bishop issued the following statement after the House vote:

“Though this bill is far from ideal, it provides level funding and is devoid of extreme policy riders. It is a compromise that both Democrats and Republicans can support to keep the federal government open and working for the people.

“As we head into the holiday season, this bill provides stability to our federal departments and agencies responsible for travel safety – by road, rail, or air. It keeps our communities safe by continuing programs that support our local law enforcement. It ensures that our active duty and civilian military personnel get paid. 

“This bill maintains the programs for families, the elderly, veterans, and those struggling to make ends meet so they have reliable access to housing, food, and care. It keeps crucial programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid open so that they can provide uninterrupted service to Georgians.

“With this continuing resolution behind us we can refocus on forging a bipartisan way forward on a full-year federal funding bill that is consistent with what we agreed to earlier this year as part of the Bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act and which can garner the support of Democrats, Republicans, the House, the Senate, and the President.

“We need to make sure Congress is providing the resources needed to meet the crises we face at this moment, from helping communities across the country recover from natural disasters and protecting our borders to addressing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s war against Hamas, and China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, all of which threaten America’s security and interests.”