U.S House of Representatives' Republicans adopted government spending targets June 15 for FY 2024 - below the level agreed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden, setting up a fight with the Democrat-led Senate that could again risk a government shutdown in the fall.
The HoR Appropriations Committee voted 33-27 along party lines to adopt a discretionary spending level of $1.47T for FY-24, which starts Oct. 1.
That is about $120B below the $1.59T set out in the debt ceiling bill negotiated by Biden and McCarthy. The targets would maintain defense spending at $866B, but would cut spending for the environment, public assistance and foreign aid.
Democrats say it reneges on the debt-ceiling agreement.
"The debt ceiling bill set a ceiling, not a floor," said Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas).
Congress will try to pass 12 appropriations bills before October.
Lower spending levels could make it harder for the House to reach agreement with the Democrat-led Senate.
Federal agencies could have to shut down if the two chambers are unable to agree to spending levels by October.
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