Dear Colleague on House Passing the Omnibus

Dear Democratic Colleague,

It is with great pride that, today, the House will vote on an historic, bipartisan government funding bill that delivers For The People. This legislation will strengthen our national security, bolster our economic prosperity and advance our shared democratic values — and it will follow through on America's commitment to the people of Ukraine.

As you may know, Democrats waged a hard-fought fight under the former Administration for state and local funding to combat the COVID crisis. Thankfully, under President Biden, we were finally able to secure this crucial funding in our American Rescue Plan.

To continue our battle against COVID, the Administration has requested additional funding so that we can protect against potential new variants, avoid costly shutdowns and help vaccinate the world. Republicans resisted this deeply needed funding — demanding that every cent requested by the Administration be offset by state and local funds scheduled to be released this spring.

Working with the Administration, Democrats were able to negotiate $15 billion in COVID support to fulfill the President's urgently needed request. To offset these costs and ensure the omnibus will be enacted, the Administration identified $8 billion from the American Rescue Plan programs that have expired with remaining funds available. Democrats were also able to ensure that the remaining payments to localities received no cuts in funding. Republicans continued to insist on state cuts, but we were able to ensure that all states receive at least 91 percent of the state funds that they expected to receive.

The omnibus we will pass today will make an enormous difference in families' lives: with a $400 increase to the maximum Pell Grant, funding for President Biden's bold initiative to end cancer, finally reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, and so much more. It will also deliver $13.6 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine, as it faces a diabolical attack by Russia.

Let us salute our magnificent Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro for her determined work in building a package that meets the needs of American families.

Thank you for your continued leadership For The People.

NANCY