Press Releases

Washington, DC—March 22, 2024…Today, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 1102, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024,which is a package of the remaining six Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bills, including Congressman Steve Womack’s (AR-3) Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill.

Congressman Womack said, “I supported the package today because I refuse to turn my back on strengthening national security, improving border security, and additional funding for Fort Smith’s critical pilot training program—all while avoiding a painful government shutdown. Although the package is far from perfect, I’m proud of the GOP’s work to secure conservative wins. The package enables the Pentagon to focus on its core mission while expanding support for our troops. It increases the number of Border Patrol agents and expands detention capacity to address the border crisis. Committed to our friend Israel, the package provides defense assistance and halts all funding for UNRWA for its proven collusion with Hamas. My FSGG bill rescinds funding for Biden’s army of IRS agents, pulls back billions of unused COVID-era slush funds, and holds Biden’s hyper-regulatory agenda in check. In a two-to-one divided government, we must take the wins where we can. I will not let the perfect get in the way of the good.”

Legislation details:

The package includes the remaining six FY24 appropriations bills: Defense; Financial Services and General Government; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Legislative Branch; and State-Foreign Operations.

The Senate must pass the House-approved package for it to be signed into law by President Biden.

Ebbing Air National Guard Base:

The Defense bill includes $207.947 million for the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, AR. This funding is in addition to the $83 million signed into law on March 9.

Conservative wins:

Increases funding to the Department of Defense to modernize our military, funds a pay raise for our troops, and cuts wasteful partisan programs:

• Provides our servicemembers with a historic 5.2% pay raise — the largest in over two decades.
• Includes $1.2 billion to fight against the flow of illicit fentanyl and counternarcotics — $291 million above the President’s budget.
• Prohibits funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth Alliance in China.

Increases funding for the Department of Homeland Security for border security and enforcement while rejecting a blank check for open borders:

• Increases ICE detention bed capacity to 41,500, an increase of 7,500 above the FY23 level.
• Funds 22,000 Border Patrol Agents — the highest level ever funded and same as authorized in H.R. 2.
• Restores shortfalls in border security technology and funds non-intrusive inspection equipment to counter fentanyl.

Additional policy wins:

• Reaffirms our commitment to Israel by fully funding our annual security commitment of $3.3 billion.
• Prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from banning gas stoves.
• Only allows for the American flag and other official flags to fly over U.S. diplomatic facilities.
• Maintains the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life protections.

Significant cuts to spending:

• Cuts 6% of overall foreign aid funds, including enhanced and new conditions on assistance to organizations like the U.N.
• Prohibits funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and U.N. Commission of Inquiry against Israel.
• Rescinds $20.2 billion from President Biden’s IRS expansion.
• Claws back an additional $6 billion in unused COVID funds.