Rep. Payne, Jr. Helps Pass Funding Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown  

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for a bill today to fund government operations and critical local projects in New Jersey’s 10^th Congressional District, from the Hudson River Tunnel project of the Gateway Program to community health centers in Newark.  The bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorizes $1.7 trillion in government spending for a variety of national interests, such as $26 billion for disaster relief and $800 million for infrastructure improvements.  In addition, the bill reforms the country’s electoral count to make presidential elections more secure through stronger protections for electors and the national vote count.  The reforms would clarify that the Vice President has no authority to reject any electors for any reason and a state’s electors would not be counted in the final presidential tally if a state decides to reject the will of the voters.

“This bill avoids a government shutdown and protects the will of the people during national elections,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “But it includes funding for community development and I was proud to provide more than $19 million for 14 important projects throughout my district.”

Specifically, the nationwide bill includes:

• $2.45 billion for Amtrak.

• $800 million for infrastructure projects, such as the Gateway Program.

• $4.4 billion for state and local law enforcement.

• $2.76 billion to improve drinking water.

• $25.7 billion for FEMA disaster relief.

• $1.9 billion for community health centers.

• $45 billion for Ukraine assistance.

This bipartisan bill passed both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives already and it is expected to be signed into law by President Biden immediately.

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