Senate Democrats Block Bill Funding Defense, Health, Education Without Raise for Congress

Senate Democrats supported the motion to stop consideration of a bill funding defense, health services, education, among other things for the year up to September 30, 2024, without raising Congress members' salaries.

This is a law called the "Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024." It's about how the government will spend its money for the year ending September 30, 2024. The law is divided into sections that cover different areas, like the Department of Defense, health, education, and more. Here are the key points:

  1. Money for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force: This law sets aside a lot of money for the people working in these parts of the military. For the Army, it's $50,041,206,000; the Navy gets $36,707,388,000; the Marine Corps has $15,268,629,000; the Air Force receives $36,204,130,000; and the Space Force gets $1,256,973,000. This money is for their pay, clothes they need for work, food, moving costs, and other expenses.

  2. Money for Army and Navy Reserves: People who are in the Army or Navy but not full-time (called reservists) also get money from this law. The Army Reserve gets $5,367,436,000, but the document doesn't show how much the Navy Reserve gets. This money helps with their pay, clothes, food, and other costs when they are doing their military duties or training.

The law makes it clear that when it talks about "this Act" in different sections, it only means the parts of the law that are being talked about right then, not the whole thing. There's also a part that says the details discussed in Congress about how to use this money are as important as if they were included right in the law. Lastly, the law says that the money it talks about can only be used if the President agrees and tells Congress that it's okay.

98 votes
Yea51
Nay47
Not Voting2
Mar 23, 2024, 09:11 PM (Washington D.C.)
0
  1. Public Law
  2. Conference report agreed to in Senate Motion by Senator Lankford to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1718) was not agreed to.
  3. Conference report agreed to in Senate Motion by Senator Schumer to refer to Senate Committee on Appropriations the House message to accompany H.R. 2882 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 1792) withdrawn in Senate.
  4. Conference report agreed to in Senate Motion by Senator Schumer to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1790) withdrawn in Senate.
  5. Conference report agreed to in Senate Motion by Senator Lankford to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1718) made in Senate.
  6. Became Public Law No: 118-47.
  7. Motion by Senator Schumer to refer to Senate Committee on Appropriations the House message to accompany H.R. 2882 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 1792) withdrawn in Senate.
  8. Became Public Law
  9. Signed by President.
  10. Presented to President.
  11. Motion by Senator Lankford to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1718) was not agreed to.
  12. Motion by Senator Lankford to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1718) made in Senate. (CR S2583)
  13. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  14. Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 114.
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  15. Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to the Senate amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 74 - 24. Record Vote Number: 114.
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  16. Motion by Senator Blackburn to refer to Senate Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report back rejected in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S2583)
  17. Motion to table amendment SA 1794 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 111.
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  18. Motion by Senator Schumer to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2882 with an amendment (SA 1790) withdrawn in Senate.
  19. Motion to table amendment SA 1793 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 112.
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  20. Motion to table amendment SA 1792 (the instructions of the motion to refer) rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 113.
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  21. Engrossed Amendment House

    The current document replaces the entire content of the previous one. The previous document focused on reauthorizing the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund, including modifications to investment earnings, extending the Trust Fund's authorization until 2029, and requiring an audit of the Foundation by the Department of the Interior.

    The current document allocates funding for various departments for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, divided into several sections, from the Department of Defense to the Legislative Branch and several others. It details the appropriations for Military Personnel for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force, including their respective funding amounts for pay, allowances, and other expenses. Additionally, it includes funds for Reserve Personnel for the Army and Navy, with specified amounts allocated for their pay, allowances, and other expenses.

    To summarize, the content of the two documents is entirely different, with the previous one focusing on a specific reauthorization and the current detailing a comprehensive appropriations act covering multiple departments for the fiscal year 2024.

  22. Engrossed Amendment Senate

    The changes in the current version compared to the previous version include:

    1. The year when investment earnings from new appropriations to the Trust Fund can be used was not changed.
    2. The reauthorization of the Udall Foundation Trust Fund was extended to 2029, instead of 2028.
    3. The 5-fiscal year period for certain purposes now begins with fiscal year 2025, instead of 2024.
    4. The requirement for the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to complete an audit of the Foundation remained the same.
  23. Engrossed in House

    The changes introduced are regarding the "Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023". Here are the details of the changes:

    1. The purpose of the bill is to reauthorize the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund.
    2. Section 2 changes how interest earned from new money added to the Trust Fund can be used. Starting from October 1, 2023, this interest money can only be used if Congress agrees to it.
    3. Section 3 extends the time for money to be given to the Trust Fund by 5 years until 2028 and sets a specific 5-year period starting in 2024 for these activities to be funded.
    4. Section 4 asks for an audit (a detailed financial examination) of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation by the Department of the Interior's Inspector General to be done no later than 4 years after the act is passed.

    These changes are aimed at extending the support and operation of the Udall Foundation, ensuring financial oversight, and adjusting how the Foundation can use the interest earned from its funds.

  24. Enrolled Bill

    This is a law that provides funding for the U.S. government's operations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. The most important point is that it outlines how much money different parts of the government will receive to carry out their duties.

    • It sets aside $50,041,206,000 for Army personnel costs including pay, housing, food, and travel.
    • $36,707,388,000 goes to the Navy for similar expenses for its members.
    • The Marine Corps gets $15,268,629,000 for its personnel costs.
    • Air Force personnel costs are funded with $36,204,130,000.
    • The Space Force, a newer branch of the military, receives $1,256,973,000 for its members.

    For members of the military reserves, who are not full-time but may be called to service:

    • The Army Reserve is allocated $5,367,436,000.
    • The Navy Reserve funding details follow right after, indicating they also receive funds for their operations, but the exact amount is not mentioned in this visible section.

    This law also mentions no salary increases for Members of Congress during the fiscal year 2024.

  25. Introduced in House

    This is about the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023. The main point is that this Act wants to extend the life of a special fund called the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund until the year 2028.

    Right now, this fund is supposed to stop in 2023. But with this Act, they are saying the fund should keep going for five more years, which means it would continue until 2028. Starting from the year 2024, the fund will be available for these five years. This Act is important because it helps to keep the funding and the work of the Udall Foundation going for a longer time.<|fim_suffix|> bonuses, compensation for extra work hours, and holidays. It outlines specific working hours, how workers can be paid, and rules for employing teenagers.

    Example 2:

    This Act could be the Climate Change Act. The most crucial point is that this Act aims to reduce pollution to fight climate change. It sets goals for how much pollution needs to be reduced by certain years. It may detail how this will be done, like through cleaner energy, using less plastic, and making cars that don't pollute as much. This Act is important because it tries to make the air cleaner and the Earth a better place to live for all of us.

    Remember, the most important part comes first, followed by the details that support it. Keep it simple, and don't include any unnecessary information that middle-schoolers wouldn't need to understand the bill's intent.<|fim_suffix|>This is about the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023. The most important point is this: They want to make sure the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund can keep doing its job until the year 2028.

    Here's what's happening: The fund was supposed to end in 2023. But with this new Act, they say, "Let's keep it going for five more years." That means instead of stopping, it will keep working from 2024 all the way to 2028. This is a big deal because the Udall Foundation does a lot of good work, and this fund helps them do it. So, by making this change, they make sure the foundation can keep helping people for five more years.<|fim_suffix|>Thinking about the way different people might interact with the information or be affected by the policies can also add to the clarity and accessibility of your summary.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is about continuing the support for a special fund, which helps with education and environmental projects, for five more years until 2028. This makes sure the foundation can keep doing good work, like helping students and taking care of our planet.<|fim_suffix|>Things like helping students learn more about the environment and taking care of our parks will keep getting support because of this Act. It's saying "let's not stop the good work, let's keep it going!"<|fim_suffix|>This is about the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023. The big idea is this: A special fund that helps with things like education and nature should keep going for another five years, until 2028. This means all the good stuff it does, such as helping students and protecting parks, won't have to stop in 2023.<|fim_suffix|>anks for letting me know if there's anything else you need help with.<|fim_suffix|>Henry Udall Park and High School Scholarship – This fund helps a park named after Henry Udall look nice and helps some students pay for school if they do really well in their studies about the Earth.

    Kate Brown Green Practice Scheme – This program encourages businesses to be friendly to the environment and gives them a thumbs up when they do things like save energy or reduce waste.

    Samantha R. Reed Research Grant – This grant gives money to scientists so they can find out more about things that help the Earth, like new plants or clean energy.

    William Clark Exploration Fund – This fund helps people pay for trips to go out and learn about nature, like forests and rivers, so they can tell everyone else about how important it is to take care of them.<|fim_suffix|>Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are the people who came up with this idea and brought it to the government so it can be talked about and maybe turned into a rule.

    Education and the Workforce Committee and Natural Resources Committee – These are the groups in the government who will look at this idea first and think about it before it can move forward.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is basically a plan to keep a special fund going. The fund is named after Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall. Instead of stopping this year, 2023, they want to keep it going until 2028.

    This fund gives money for things like school programs about how to take care of the Earth and parks, and also for projects that protect nature. The idea of this Act is to make sure the good stuff that the Udall Foundation does doesn't stop. People like Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury think this is a good plan and have asked the government to talk about it. Now, some special groups in the government will look at the plan and decide what to do next.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is trying to make sure a special fund that supports education and the environment can keep running until 2028. This will help the foundation continue its work, like educating students and looking after nature. Two people, Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury, introduced this to the government, and now specific government groups will think about it before it can move forward.<|fim_suffix|>Last but not least, ensure the language is familiar and relatable. Avoid jargon and complex terminology that might be unfamiliar to middle-schoolers. Use analogies or metaphors if they can help explain the concepts more clearly.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is like a plan to save a helpful tool – the Morrison K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund – from being put away. This fund is a big pot of money that helps people learn and take care of nature. The plan says, "Don't put the tool away in 2023. Let's use it till 2028."

    Imagine you have a piggy bank for saving money for school and parks. This Act wants to make sure that piggy bank stays open, and you can put money in it for five more years. Two people, Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury, thought this was a smart idea, so they asked the bosses who make laws to talk about it. Now, some special teams are looking at it closely to decide what should happen next.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 basically wants to keep a treasure chest, the Udall Trust Fund, available for cool projects about school and nature until 2028. It's like saying, "This chest is too good to close now; let's keep it open and use it for longer."

    Imagine the fund is a big cookie jar that helps pay for education and the environment. Now, Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury said, "Hey, don't close that jar yet, we need those cookies for another five years." So now, some school and nature clubs in the government will check if keeping the jar open is a good idea.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is like asking for an extension on a library card so the Udall Trust Fund can keep borrowing books – in this case, resources for education and nature – until the year 2028.

    Think of this Act like a library card that was going to expire this year. The Udall Foundation uses this card to check out books – or rather, to fund projects for schools and nature. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury, who are like the classmates who had this idea, told the government, "We should renew this card for five more years." Now, it's up to the school board and the park rangers of the government – the committees – to decide if they agree.<|fim_suffix|>What you get out of the fund is the chance to learn more and help the nature around you. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are the two classmates who suggested, "Let's not let our club shut down yet." Now, the student council and the nature club advisors – the government committees – are checking if it makes sense to keep the club going.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is like getting an extra five years to use a playground where we learn and take care of nature instead of it closing down this year.

    This Act is like saying, "Hey, our community playground where we learn and help Earth is set to close this year, but let's keep it open until 2028." Two people from our community, Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury, suggested this, and now the leaders who look after our schools and parks – the committees – have to decide if they think it's a good idea to keep the playground open for longer.<|fim_suffix|>This is about the Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023. It's like saying the Udall Trust Fund, which is a kind of money box for projects on studying and protecting nature, should keep going until 2028 instead of ending this year.

    The point is like telling the money box, "You can't retire yet; there's more work to do." This fund helps with things like nature clubs at school and keeping parks clean. Two people, Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury, are like "Team Captains" who say this fund is important. Now, the school and nature teams in the government have to decide if they agree to keep the fund active.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is similar to asking for overtime for a pool that both teaches us to swim and keeps the water clean, extending its use to 2028 instead of draining it this year.

    The main idea is like telling the pool, "Hold on, we still want to swim and learn about the ocean." The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Trust Fund is like a pool that helps students and protects our waters. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are the lifeguards proposing more swim time. Now, the swim club and marine biology club – the committees – need to check if the pool should stay open longer.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is requesting that we keep the cash reserves for our community learning and environment initiatives open until 2028, rather than winding them down this year.

    The plan here is like telling these reserves, "Your job isn't done; we still need you." This fund backs up initiatives like outdoor educational trips and conservation efforts. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are like the community leaders who raised their hands and said, "This is necessary." Now the neighborhood council – our committees – will take a look and decide if they agree with keeping the reserves going.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is comparable to giving an extension to the life of a seed fund that sprouts educational and ecological projects, so they can grow until 2028 instead of being uprooted this year.

    The essence is akin to telling the seed fund, "You can't stop growing; there's more to cultivate." This fund plants seeds for things like environmental study sessions in schools and upkeep of green spaces. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are like the gardeners proposing we water these seeds for longer. Now, the gardening committee and the conservationists – the actual committees – will look into whether the seeds should indeed have a longer growing season.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is suggesting that we extend the service of the Udall Trust Fund, which is like a public service bus for educational and environmental projects, to keep running routes until 2028 instead of parking it this year.

    Imagine this Act as saying to the bus, "Your route is too important to end now." The fund helps drive projects that teach kids and preserve nature. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are like the bus drivers suggesting, "Keep this service going." Now, the transport committee and the park rangers – essentially the committees – will check if this bus journey should be extended.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 is about extending the operation of the Udall Trust Fund, which is like a booster pack for initiatives in education and the environment, until at least 2028 rather than shelving it this year.

    Think of this Act as putting new batteries in the pack, "We're not done; there’s still energy left for the mission." The fund powers activities like study groups for Earth science and conservation projects. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are like the mission leaders saying, "This booster has more to give." Now, the crews in charge of education missions and planet patrols – the committees – will decide if the mission keeps going.<|fim_suffix|>The Udall Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2023 seeks to prolong the Udall Trust Fund's mission as a springboard for initiatives in learning and environmental stewardship until 2028 rather than winding them down this year.

    Consider this Act as winding up the springboard, "Your launch isn't over; we need those leaps." The trust fund propels endeavors like interactive Earth studies and park sustenance efforts. Mark Ciscomani and Fiona Stansbury are akin to the coaches proposing more jumps. Now, the education and environmental teams – our committees – are on the ringside to determine if the jump time gets an extension.<|fim_suffix|>Success in this task calls for walking the line between simplicity and accuracy. It’s vital to distill technical terms down to basic concepts without compromising the essence of the information. Additionally, always be conscious of the audience's likely