By - Tim Rosado
FY 2023 Omnibus appropriations legislation, a massive $1.7 trillion bill, passed the Congress and was signed into law by President Biden (December 29).
What follows below is a breakdown of the key elements of the Omnibus from both the perspective of:
FUNDING
Discretionary Funding
All 12 Appropriations Bills
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $1.623 trillion |
President's Budget | $1.494 trillion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $1.488 trillion |
Change $ | +$ 135.2 billion |
Change % | +8.3% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $38.2 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $47.3 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $1.708 trillion |
A regular annual funding increase of $135 billion (+8.3%) for FY 2023 is significantly higher than last year's $88 billion, 6.2% increase (FY 2022).
Defense activities funded through the Department of Defense received the bulk of the regular annual funding increase–$69 billion–with the remainder increase–$66 billion–funding all other (non-defense) discretionary programs.
Individual Appropriations Bills
Agriculture-Rural-FDA
Omnibus summary House proposal summary
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $25.5 billion |
President's Budget | $28.5 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $24.7 billion |
Change $ | +$ 0.8 billion |
Change % | + 3.1% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $5.3 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.1 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $30.9 billion |
The big thing: food support policy changes:
Establishes a permanent Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (i.e. "EBT) providing $40 in supplementary grocery benefits per child for each summer month for families relying on free/reduced-price school meals. The program starts in 2024. Children in rural communities will have the option of summer meals being delivered, up to 10 days worth at a time. The bill also extends higher benefit levels for fruits and vegetables for those in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
The bill trades off funding for maintaining/expanding nutrition activities for some areas by dropping expanded, COVID-19 pandemic-era food support benefits provided primarily under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Starting in March, SNAP families will lose on average $82 per person, per month. While the pandemic is generally over, food prices currently remain high.
Energy & Water
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $54.6 billion |
President's Budget | $57.5 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $52.9 billion |
Change $ | +$ 1.7 billion |
Change % | + 3.1% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $3.0 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.5 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $58.1 billion |
The big things on this one are tied to supplemental, not annual funding, including:
$1.5 billion in disaster supplemental funding for the Army Corps of Engineers for disaster-related repairs and resiliency projects.
$1.0 billion for the Puerto Rico power grid.
$520 million to address western power shortage costs tied to the loss of hydropower tied to the continuing drought.
$300 million for advanced nuclear fuels and the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
Commerce-Justice-Science
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $84.2 billion |
President's Budget | $88.8 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $78.1 billion |
Change $ | +$ 6.1 billion |
Change % | + 7.2% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $3.8 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $88.0 billion |
The big things:
Includes $1.8 billion in funding authorized, but not specifically appropriated, within the CHIPS and Science Act, a new law enacted in the summer to expand the domestic semiconductor R&D and manufacturing industry. A big portion–$680 million–of this funding goes to the National Science Foundation. Another $500 million goes towards supporting Regional Technology Hubs.
Includes a $700 million, 22% increase for Violence Against Women Act program activities, and a 32% funding increase for the COPS federally-funded policy hiring program (+1,800 police).
Disaster supplemental funding includes, among other things, $327.7 million for the acquisition of hurricane hunter aircraft and $300 million for fisheries disaster assistance, both within NOAA.
Defense
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $797.7 billion |
President's Budget | $762.1 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $728.9 billion |
Change $ | +$69.3 billion |
Change % | + 8.7% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $0.1 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $27.9 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $825.7 billion |
The big things:
Aligns with the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Includes key pay and benefits adjustments for members of the military including a pay increase of 4.6%, the Basic Allowance for Housing by 11%, the Basic Allowance for Subsistence by 11%, and also provides $210 million to help reduce food prices at commissaries.
Includes nearly $28 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine-related needs.
Provides $1 billion to close the Navy's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii which leaked and contaminated local water and sickened many local residents.
Interior-Environment
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $38.9 billion |
President's Budget | $37.3 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $38.1 billion |
Change $ | +$ 0.8 billion |
Change % | + 2.1% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $6.2 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $45.1 billion |
The big things:
Enables the replenishment of an estimated 500 attrited National Park Service staff.
Provides more $2.5 billion in emergency funding for wildfire management and suppression, and a $550 million increase (14%) in regular annual funding.
Provides $1.5 billion in emergency funding for National Park Service disaster recovery needs.
Includes $1.67 billion in disaster supplemental funding for EPA's Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for wastewater treatment and drinking water impacted by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, as well as $600 million of the total to address the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi.
Financial Services
House proposal summary Senate proposal summary
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $26.7 billion |
President's Budget | $31.5 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $25.9 billion |
Change $ | +$ 0.8 billion |
Change % | + 3.0% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $0.9 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion* |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $27.6 billion |
* $1M ($0.001 billion) was provided in the Ukraine Supplemental for the White House National Security Council.
The big things:
Includes a 40% funding increase for the Elections Assistance Commission, an organization that helps ensure voting systems are tested to federal standards, provides information to support the voting process, and assists in effective and efficient election administration. Election Security Grants remain level-funded, however, at just $75 million.
Includes a nearly $700 million increase (+7%) for both Federal building repairs/improvements, including for improved security in courthouses ($19M), and new Federal construction (+$500M).
Homeland Security
House proposal summary Senate proposal summary
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $60.7 billion |
President's Budget | $56.7 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $57.5 billion |
Change $ | +$ 3.2 billion |
Change % | + 5.3% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $6.9 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $67.6 billion |
The big things:
No major funding increases to deal with the current immigration crisis–immigration detention capacity is not increased–but the Omnibus does fund modest changes including 300 more Border Patrol Agents and 125 CBP Officers.
Includes supplemental funding of $5 billion for FEMA for disaster recovery from recent hurricanes, and $1.45 billion for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Program.
Though well below a request of $1 billion, the Omnibus provides nearly $400 million to help improve TSA screener pay parity with the remainder of the Federal workforce to help retain staff.
Labor-Ed-HHS
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $226.8 billion |
President's Budget | $240.6 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $211.8 billion |
Change $ | +$ 15.0 billion |
Change % | + 6.6% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $4.3 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $2.4 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $233.5 billion |
The big things:
Provides $350 million in funding (+75%) for public health infrastructure and capacity, to help bolster public health infrastructure and workforce at the state and local levels to prepare for emerging health threats.
Provides a $560 million increase in funding (+22%) for biosecurity R&D and for fortifying stockpiles and supply chains for drugs, masks, and other lifesaving medical supplies.
Includes a $100 million (+19%) increase in funding for the HIV/AIDS elimination initiative.
Increases maternal healthcare funding by $120 million, an increase of nearly 60%.
Provides a 30% funding increase in the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, an amount that is estimated can support child care for an additional 130K children.
Increases the Pell Grant maximum award level by $500 (+7%) for the 2023-2024 school year.
Legislative Branch
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $6.9 billion |
President's Budget | $5.9 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $5.9 billion |
Change $ | +$ 1.0 billion |
Change % | + 14.5% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $0.0 billion* |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $6.9 billion |
* $8M ($0.008 billion) was provided in the Ukraine supplemental for GAO.
The big things:
Provides a nearly 68% increase in funding (+$541 million) for Capitol improvements, primarily $403 million for the Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security supporting significant enhancements to the physical security of the Capitol complex as a result of the security recommendations made after January 6th Capitol attack.
Includes $9.5 million to enhance Member of Congress security, including for residential security for both House and Senate Members, district office security, and increasing Dignitary Protection Division agents enforcement.
State-Foreign Ops
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $59.7 billion |
President's Budget | $66.5 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $56.1 billion |
Change $ | +$ 3.6 billion |
Change % | + 6.0% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $16.6 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $76.3 billion |
The big things:
The Omnibus does not include a $1.6 billion request for an International Green Climate Fund, a key part of the Biden Administration's efforts to build up to an $11 billion annual US international commitment to address climate change by 2024. It does include nearly $1.4 billion in a variety of international environmental programs covering climate change, clean energy, and biodiversity.
Includes a 17%, nearly $400 million increase in multilateral assistance programs.
Provides a $200 million (29%) increase in funding for global health security programs.
Includes $16.6 billion in emergency supplemental funding tied to Ukraine, most of which ($13 billion) will be for direct economic and budgetary support for Ukraine, and for related international humanitarian assistance ($2.5 billion).
Transportation-HUD Omnibus Summary
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $87.3 billion |
President's Budget | $88.8 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $81.0 billion |
Change $ | +$ 6.3 billion |
Change % | + 7.2% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $7.6 billion |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $94.9 billion |
The big things:
With the Infrastructure Act heavily financing new infrastructure investments for the foreseeable future, disaster emergency supplemental funding is really the big thing in this category this year. The bill includes $7.6 billion, including $800 million for roads, $3 billion for Community Development Block Grants, and $3.5 billion in HUD project- and tenant-based rental assistance.
Includes new funding for 223 additional positions within the FAA to address aviation inspection and certification capacity needs.
VA-Military Construction
FY 2023 Regular Annual Funding: | Final |
Appropriations Omnibus | $154.2 billion |
President's Budget | $31.5 billion |
Last Year, FY 2022 | $127.6 billion |
Change $ | +$ 26.6 billion |
Change % | + 17.3% |
Disaster Supplemental: | $0.0 billion* |
Ukraine Supplemental: | $0.0 billion |
GRAND TOTAL, REGULAR & SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING: | $154.2 billion |
* $41M ($0.04 billion) was provided in the disaster supplemental for defense facility recovery.
The big things:
Includes $5 billion in new funding for the VA for a "Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund," which will help finance VA costs associated with the landmark new PACT Act. that will address both healthcare and compensation issued tied to veteran toxic exposure.
Includes a nearly $22 billion, 22% budget increase for VA medical care tied to increased costs from the PACT Act and other increased costs.
Increases funding by 29% (+$189M) for the military installation Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment program.
KEY LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION ACTIONS
Electoral Reform - Includes the provisions of the Electoral Count Reform Act, legislative developed by a bipartisan group of Senators to fix electoral count processes that some believe helped foster the chaos that happened on January 6th after the 2020 Presidential election.
Medicare Cut Prevention - Includes provisions which defer until 2025 significant cuts to Medicare, to include cuts (~4%) to physicians and hospitals, reportedly worth upwards of an estimated $100 billion. These cuts would have begun being implemented in 2023 under mandatory Federal budget sequestration rules.
Telehealth Flexibility Extension - Includes provisions extending certain telehealth flexibilities in Medicare through 2024, which (among other things) enabled the provision of services, and provider reimbursement, without in-person visits.
Tax Provisions & Retirement Reforms - The bill excludes most tax provisions, including key expiring corporate tax provisions and child tax credits sought by many, but it does include extensive retirement savings and other related reforms tied to the Secure and Strong Retirement Act--SECURE Act 2.0 passed by the House and a related measure passed by the Senate.
TikTok on Government Devices Ban - Includes legislation passed by the Senate that bans the TikTok app on Federal Government devices given the Chinese ownership relationship to TikTok and related Bytedance, and the perceived security and privacy threats of Chinese access to user data.
Afghans - While the Omnibus did not include the Afghan Assistance Act sought by many, it did included a 4,000 increase in visas for Afghans who helped the United States in Afghanistan, and extended the authorities of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program until 2024.
Boeing Max 737 Certification Deadline - Includes provisions giving Boeing more time to incorporate improved crew alerting systems in its hugely important 737 MAX program. Specifically, Boeing will be able to be certified for Max 7 and Max 10 models despite a current statutory deadline for improved systems this year, but the company will have to retrofit aircraft without the systems within 3 years.
Public Pool Safety Legislation - Includes the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act, a proposal that, among other things, extends grant program eligibility for nonprofits and tribes. The current program provides state and local governments with funding to help implement enforcement and education programs that help prevent drownings and drain entrapments in pools and spas.
3rd Party Sellers Online - Includes provisions of the INFORM Consumers Act, which will require online companies to collect and verify basic seller information, and for sellers disclose information to consumers. This is intended to protect consumers and businesses from organized retail crime.
Lobster Industry Protection - Includes a provision giving the U.S. lobster industry six years to address fishing gear equipment and practices that have a connection to entangling/killing critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, despite environmental requirements in a NOAA recent regulation imposing new lobster trap standards.
Driftnets. Includes provisions of the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act, legislation that among other things provides authority to conduct a transition program to facilitate the phaseout of large-scale driftnet fishing. The program authorizes NOAA to provide grants to operators of driftnet fishing vessels with federal permits to cover the cost of permits, the forfeiture of existing fishing gear, and the acquisition of alternative new fishing gear.
Iran Sanctions - Includes provisions of the Masih Alinejad Harassment and Unlawful Targeting (HUNT) Act, that among other things requires the imposition of mandatory sanctions against those engaging in acts of transnational repression on behalf of Iranian authorities.
Nursing Mothers Protection - Includes provisions of the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act, which expands workplace protections for lactating workers, clarifying employers' obligations under the law, and ensuring breastfeeding mothers have access to appropriate remedies.
Pregnant Worker Protections - Includes provisions of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as additional bathroom breaks, lighter duties, or seating.
Terrorism Victims Assistance - Includes provisions of the Fairness for 9/11 Families Act which adds funding to the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund, and also adds victims not only of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks, but also adds eligibility for victims of the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut and the 1996 attack on the Air Force barracks in Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
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