House and Senate Send FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill to President Biden

In a 61-38 vote, the Senate passed the $1.5 trillion omnibus package (HR 2471) and sent it to President Biden for signature. The house passed the bill earlier this week. The omnibus package includes all 12 fiscal 2022 spending bills, $13.6 billion in supplemental appropriations for addressing the crisis in Ukraine and numerous miscellaneous measures. The Senate also passed a stop-gap measure (H J Res 75) to avoid a partial government shutdown through March 15, to ensure there is time for the omnibus to be signed by President Biden.

The bill provides $9.56 billion for the EPA, a $323 million increase from fiscal year 2021. This includes a $224 million increase, totaling $3.57 billion, for EPA’s core science and environmental program work; $587 million, an increase of $45 million, for programs to help with the restoration of nationally significant bodies of water (e.g. Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, and Long Island Sound); and a $38 million increase, totaling $4.35 billion, for State and Tribal Assistance Grants. Additionally, passage of this bill will mean the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be fully funded.