The 2022 Omnibus Bill - For The People?
When you voted in the midterms, did you want your tax money to be spent like this?
Omnibus bills, also known as omnibus legislation or omnibus acts, are pieces of legislation that contain multiple provisions or topics, often unrelated, that are bundled together in a single bill. These bills can be controversial because they allow lawmakers to pass a large number of provisions at once without having to debate each one individually. This can make it difficult for legislators and the public to fully understand and scrutinize the contents of the bill, and it can also make it harder to hold lawmakers accountable for their votes.
There are arguments on both sides of the issue. Some people argue that omnibus bills are a necessary tool for getting important legislation passed, especially in times of crisis when there is a need for quick action. Others argue that omnibus bills are a waste of time and resources because they allow lawmakers to avoid having to make tough decisions and to hide controversial provisions in a larger bill. Ultimately, whether or not omnibus bills are a waste depends on one's perspective and priorities.
I want to know, in what ways is the last omnibus bill, recently passed by congress in December of 2022, helping the average taxpayer who contributed the funds congress is actually distributing?
The legislation includes $772.5 billion for nondefense discretionary programs and $858 billion in defense funding, $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and NATO allies, an overhaul of the electoral vote-counting law, protections for pregnant workers, an enhancement to retirement savings rules, and a TikTok ban on federal devices, an increase in spending for disaster aid, college access, child care, mental health, and food assistance, more support for the military and veterans, and additional funds for the US Capitol Police.
The legislation contains several major Medicaid provisions and runs over 4,000 pages.
Here is where some of your tax dollars are headed:
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