OKC Standard

Washington D.C. - The House of Representatives has taken a significant step in preventing a government shutdown by voting to pass the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. This legislation encompasses six appropriations bills covering various sectors including defense, education, and foreign operations, among others.

Congresswoman Bice, in a statement following the vote, highlighted the importance of the bills in averting a shutdown and ensuring national security. She stated, "Today, I voted for six appropriations bills, preventing the harmful effects of a government shutdown. Over 70% of this package focuses on defense, ensuring our nation is able to counteract the Chinese Communist Party and other adversaries that are seeking to exploit the weaknesses shown by the Biden Administration."

Furthermore, Congresswoman Bice emphasized the measure's impact on non-defense spending, noting that the legislation includes targeted cuts to reduce wasteful expenditure in various federal agencies. She remarked, "When it comes to non-defense spending, this legislation continues to provide targeted cuts to wasteful spending across numerous bloated federal agencies."

Acknowledging the imperfections of the legislative process, Congresswoman Bice also underscored the positive outcomes achieved through the bill, particularly in terms of conservative victories. She mentioned, "Like most bills in Washington, this legislation is not perfect. However, in a divided government, this package provides key conservative wins, including defunding Biden’s weaponized IRS and preserving the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer-funded abortions."

The passage of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 reflects a bipartisan effort to maintain essential government functions and address critical areas of expenditure, underscoring the importance of fiscal responsibility and strategic budgeting in the current political landscape.