Rajan Laad writes for the American Thinker about details of the latest government spending shenanigans on Capitol Hill.
While the media is focused the conflict in Ukraine, Congress has been occupied debating another massive $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill.
This is perhaps the last of attempts by the Democrats to push their agenda through before the GOP is expected to take over early next year.
The bill they have got in front of them is divided into two sections:
*$730 billion dedicated to total non-defense spending, and was passed with 260 votes for and 171 against.
*$782 billion dedicated to defense funding, and was passed with 361 votes for and 69 votes against.
Within these bills, the GOP was able to retain $2 billion of previously-allocated border wall construction funds.
The bill also dedicates an additional $370 million to “enhanced border security.”
Did the GOP compel the Democrats to spend more on the U.S. border? Was this a moment of triumph?
Before you leap with joy to celebrate, the borders being fortified are those of Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Oman, Nepal and Pakistan.
There all kinds of vaguely worded programs, some which may be good but also may be useless pork, or even worse, wokester pork.
Under the ‘Economic Support Fund’ section dedicates over $40,000,000 for ‘democracy programs for Venezuela.’
The bill provides around $10 million for improving television and radio broadcasting capabilities in countries such as Cuba.
The bill includes a provision that expands diversity, equality, and inclusion at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The bill also dedicates $6 million to Russians “engaging in free market development, humanitarian activities, and civic engagement” but will “not be used for Russian government officials.”
The bill also dedicates $66 million for the “Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health.
