Rosa DeLauro on Government Funding Package: Democratic Wins vs. Shutdown Risks

Two Paths for Government Funding

• 🎯 The speaker outlines two potential outcomes for the HR 7148 federal funding package: one if it passes, and another if it fails.
• 💡 If the bill passes, key departments like Defense, Labor, HHS, Education, State, Treasury, and HUD will be fully funded through September.

Democratic Wins Secured

• 💰 The bill locks in Democratic priorities, rejecting $163 billion in proposed cuts to public services.
• 🔬 Funding for NIH Biomedical Research will increase by $415 million, and $66 billion will be allocated for rental assistance programs.
• 🧒 Funding for child care and Head Start will rise by $170 million, with an additional $5.5 billion for humanitarian assistance and $315 million for federal public defenders.
• 🏛️ The bill establishes constraints on the Trump administration's budget process, reclaiming spending power for Congress.

Risks of Bill Failure

• ⚠️ If the bill fails, a prolonged government shutdown would occur, leading to furloughed workers and missed paychecks.
• 📉 Public services would be scaled back, research grants frozen, and rental assistance payments delayed, potentially causing evictions.
• ⚖️ Congress would concede more budget process discretion to the White House, losing its power of the purse.
• 🚨 Homeland Security funding would continue for only 10 days, leading to a shutdown if no further action is taken, but without securing the Democratic priorities.

Accountability and Future Fights

• 🔒 The bill aims to establish judicial warrant requirements, prevent detention/deportation of citizens, and enforce a code of conduct for agencies, including body cameras and accountability for abuses.
• ✊ Passing the funding bills positions Congress to fight for necessary changes and protect communities over the next 10 legislative days and beyond.
• ✅ Support for the bill is strongly encouraged to protect communities and win future fights.