Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted for the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023.  This bipartisan bill extends funding for vital federal agencies, including education, health, housing, and public safety programs, through December 16, 2022. This continued funding grows opportunity through early childhood education, invests in our schools and high-quality job training programs, provides critical nutrition assistance and affordable housing opportunities, secures our nation, and supports our veterans.

“This bipartisan legislation keeps the government open and extends funding for critical programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program,” said Rep. Sewell. “I will continue to fight to lower the cost of living, and support working Alabama families living paycheck-to-paycheck. I am also committed to standing with Ukraine as they continue to fight for democracy and push back against Putin’s war of aggression.” 

Divisions A and B of the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023:

• Extend funding for vital federal agencies, including education, health, housing, and public safety programs, through December 16. This continued funding grows opportunity through early childhood education, invests in our schools and high-quality job training programs, provides critical nutrition assistance and affordable housing opportunities, secures our nation, and supports our veterans.
• Invest an additional $1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help address pressure on low-income households’ pocketbooks due to inflation; $2.5 billion to help New Mexico communities recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, the largest wildfire in the state’s history; $2 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to aid the long-term housing, infrastructure and economic recovery needs of communities impacted by disasters in 2021 and 2022; and, $20 million for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements previously authorized for Jackson, Mississippi. This funding will help families and small businesses get back on their feet and rebuild from natural disasters while repairing damage to critical infrastructure.
• Include language that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obligate up to the full year amount available under the continuing resolution for the Disaster Relief Fund if needed to respond to declared disasters such as Hurricane Ian in Florida, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and severe storm, flooding, and landslides in Alaska.
• Provide $12.35 billion in assistance related to Ukraine, including training, equipment, weapons, logistics support, and direct financial support for the government of Ukraine. 

The text of the bill is here. A summary of the bill is here. A one-page fact sheet on the bill is here.