WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement after House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which will provide funding for the federal government for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2023.

“Democrats have used the lame duck to jam through the largest spending bill in history which excessively supports anti-American interests. This $1.7 TRILLION package exasperates persistent inflation, the border crisis in Texas, and rapidly increasing fentanyl overdoses, among other crises American families are facing due to federal government inaction.

Some of the most egregious portions of this bill include:

·      $1.75 BILLION for the ATF– An increase of $215.9 MILLION from FY2022

·      $200 MILLION for new Gender Equity & Equality Action Fund and gender programs in Pakistan

·      $ 3 MILLION for an LGBTQ+ Museum in New York City

·      $108 MILLION for new environmental justice programs nationwide

·      $26 MILLION for the House Office of Diversity & Inclusion

·      $2 MILLION for the new “Nancy Pelosi Fellowship”

·      $8.6 MILLION for the new gender advisory programs at the Pentagon

·      $3.6 MILLION for the new “Michelle Obama Trail”

While I could not support the outgoing Majority’s underlying bill, this bill does include a number of measures that I would support independently, including many Texas 17th District growth, infrastructure, and water projects that I worked hard to include in this package. I am proud of these priorities and believe that they will support Central & East Texas’ position as one of the nation’s most sought-after places to live, work, learn, and raise a family."

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