House passes $4.7 trillion budget for 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives approved $4.7 trillion dollars in spending for the 2023 fiscal year as part of its annual budget, which was crafted by a bipartisan committee. The budget now goes to President Biden's desk for his signature.

Rep. Lesko

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona), a member of the Money Committee that drafted the budget, introduced it on the House floor, describing it as a balanced measure that "takes into account the needs of all Americans." She read a statement of support from Money Committee chair Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma), who is currently recovering from Covid symptoms at the Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.

Fellow Money Committee member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) added his praise for the budget proposal, arguing that it "demonstrates a bipartisan approach." Committee members noted that the bill actually called for $56 billion dollars more in revenue than spending, creating a surplus that would make a small dent in the national debt.

Several Democrats, however, expressed concern for the very small appropriation for Pell Grants in higher education, originally listed as $50,000 for 2023. This, experts estimate, would almost be enough to send one student to the University of Denver next year.

After some discussion, the line item was increased to $500 million by Majority Leader Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota). Several House progressives, led by Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, pushed for a further expansion of this funding, but this effort did not garner majority support. The budget was ultimately passed on a voice vote.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez

In other House developments, Republicans quashed a bill by Ocasio-Cortez to raise the federal minimum wage to $14.50. In comments later made available to the Sentinel, Ocasio-Cortez listed the economic benefits to families and communities of an increased minimum wage, and implored her colleagues to "put party politics aside and do what you were elected to do by representing the best interests of your constituents." The federal minimum wage remains at $7.50, although various cities and states have floors well above that.

In another development, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) led Republicans to support one of the largest expansions of the welfare state since the Great Society, details page A14.