U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) split over a $1.2 trillion government funding package passed by the Senate early Saturday morning to avert a partial government shutdown.
This legislation passed the House on Friday and passed the Senate 74-24. It now heads to President Joe Biden's desk. Britt voted in favor of the legislation. Tuberville voted against it.
The bill appropriates more than $6.2 billion to Alabama, according to Britt.
"I was glad to see Congress finally do our jobs today, and I'm grateful to send Alabamians' hard-earned taxpayer dollars back home. This strategic funding will make key investments in Alabama's defense capabilities and installations, rural health services, mental health research, child care, and our local communities. This legislation ensures our incredible men and women in uniform remain the best equipped, trained, and resourced in the world, while combatting the rising influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Given a divided Congress and a Democrat-controlled White House, this legislation is certainly far from perfect, but conservatives were able to secure major concessions while we made important incremental strides and delivered wins for the people of Alabama. As we finally begin the FY 2025 appropriations process, I will continue to fight to restore regular order and return fiscal sanity to our nation's capital," Britt said.
Republicans in the House and Senate who voted against the measure said the bill didn't do enough to secure the country's southern border.
"This 1,000-page, $1.2 trillion bill was delivered without adequate time to review and is packed with wasteful spending and budget gimmicks that try to hide the true cost. Our nation is nearly $35 trillion in debt. We've got to get a handle on our spending, and this bill is all talk and no action," Tuberville said. "This bill fails to take any meaningful steps to address the most pressing crisis our country is facing – the invasion of illegal immigrants and drugs at the southern border. Democrats also did everything in their power to stop us from debating important amendments. All 51 Democrats blocked my amendment that would protect female athletes by keeping men out of women's sports. For these reasons, I voted no. The status quo is unsustainable, and this bill is more of the same. It paves the way for America's continued decline."
Every member of Alabama's House Republican delegation voted against the legislation when it passed that chamber on Friday.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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