Jim Jordan Chastizes Congress For Unveiling a $1.7T Spending Package ‘While You Were Sleeping’

It was reported early this morning that lawmakers released the text of a $1.7 trillion funding bill that Congress hopes to pass within days to avert a government shutdown.

The text of the bill, which was released by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, is 4,155 pages and covers spending through the end of fiscal 2023.

U.S. House Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) chastized those responsible for the plan and for the decision on when to release it.

“While you were sleeping, Congress unveiled a $1.7 trillion spending package without any real way to pay for it. Only in The Swamp,” Jordan declared in a tweet.

While you were sleeping, Congress unveiled a $1.7 trillion spending package without any real way to pay for it.

Only in The Swamp.

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) December 20, 2022

The measure includes a record $858 billion in defense funding and will also provide $44.9 billion in emergency assistance for Ukraine.

As for the rest of the package, it includes $772.5 billion for non-defense discretionary programs, including a 22 percent increase for Veterans Affairs medical care, $118.7 billion total, and $40.6 billion to help communities hit by recent natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods.

Other measures included in the bill include a ban on the use of TikTok on government-owned devices and clarification of Congress’s role in certifying elections, which were negotiated by both parties.

In a statement announcing the release of the text of the bill, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said, “The pain of inflation on American families is real, and it is being felt right now across the federal government.”

“From funding for nutrition programs and housing assistance, to home energy costs and college affordability, our bipartisan, bicameral, omnibus appropriations bill directly invests in providing relief from the burden of inflation on the American people,” Leahy claimed.