President Joe Biden reportedly signed the $1.7 trillion spending measure into law on Thursday, only days after a bipartisan group of senior politicians rushed the massive document through Congress.
While on vacation in the US Virgin Islands, Biden signed the law, and the omnibus was airlifted to the Caribbean island for the president’s signature.
The omnibus package finances the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, putting a government shutdown off until at least October.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) backed the plan, as did Democratic leaders in Congress, in order to get the spending bill through before Christmas.
The omnibus bill was approved by the Senate on December 22 by a vote of 68-29.
In support of the deal, 18 Republicans voted with Democrats.
The next day, the House passed the bill 225-201, with nine Republicans joining Democrats in support.
Conservative critics of the massive spending measure said McConnell should block it and finance the government with stopgap budget bills until a new Congress with a GOP-controlled House takes office next month.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), a major candidate for House Speaker, threatened Republican senators on Tuesday over the budget bill.
McCarthy stated that if elected speaker, he would kill any Senate Republican who backed the bill’s legislative aims.
Agreed. Except no need to whip—when I’m Speaker, their bills will be dead on arrival in the House if this nearly $2T monstrosity is allowed to move forward over our objections and the will of the American people. https://t.co/WCC477R4IM
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) December 20, 2022
McConnell collaborated with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to pass the legislation.
McConnell reportedly supported the omnibus because he believed it was allegedly a critical investment in the United States military.
[READ MORE: McCarthy Considers Giving Major Concession to Renegade Republicans in order to Secure Speakership]
