Van Orden Votes to Fund the Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after voting to pass the final Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) consolidated appropriations package:

“As I have stated before, I am frustrated with the lack of regular order in Congress and the repeated last-minute attempts to fund the government. Today was no exception. However, while the bill nor the process to bring it to the floor was perfect, this final FY24 appropriations package provides responsible funding for our national security and defense, health care system, and Border Patrol while rolling back years of wasteful, Democrat-backed government spending. As we begin the FY25 appropriations process, let us be more strategic in getting it done than in previous years.”

The final FY24 appropriations package includes multiple provisions that provide for our national security and the American people:

• Inclusion of the Dickey Amendment, which ensures that federal funds cannot be used to advocate for or promote gun control
• Reaffirms U.S. commitment to Israel and fully funds our annual security agreement
• Funds the largest increase in basic military pay for all servicemembers in over 20 years
• Fully funds SOCOM’s operation and maintenance requirements
• Provides funds to hire 22,000 Border Patrol agents 
• Provides funds to the National Institute of Health’s Institutes and Centers which fully supports basic biomedical research investigating cures for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic and rare diseases

The bill also cuts Democrats’ runaway spending:

• Prohibits any taxpayer funding from going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and eliminates funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel.
• Takes back $10 billion from the administration, partially defunding President Biden’s supercharged IRS army
• Rejects $4.7 million for the establishment of a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Office within the Office of Chief Human Capital Officer
• Rejects $48.6 million for electric vehicle infrastructure