Sarbanes Statement on House Passage of Short-Term Federal Spending Package

Press Release

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) today released the following statement after the House passed a federal spending package to fund government operations through December 16, 2022.

"As families face rising prices, Congress must come together to pass robust legislation that will lift up our communities and create a more sustainable future," said Congressman Sarbanes. "Today, I voted to continue working toward that goal while allocating resources to address the immediate crises of higher energy costs, increasingly severe climate change-related weather events and Ukraine's fight for freedom and democracy in the war against Russia. This legislation also allows the Food and Drug Administration to continue reviewing and approving lifesaving drugs and supporting innovation to lower drug costs."

In addition to ensuring the continued operations of the federal government, this legislation -- the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act -- invests $1 billion in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to mitigate rising home energy costs. It also delivers support for communities recovering from extreme weather events and allocates $12.5 billion to support Ukraine's fight for freedom and democracy. Finally, it reauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration's user fee agreements that allow it to efficiently review the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices.

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