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HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images The spending package approved by the House on Tuesday contains nearly $1.4 billion in funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall, among a host of other provisions including raising the purchasing age for tobacco to 21.
The House of Representatives approved a $1.4 trillion spending package on Tuesday, sending the measure to the Senate and acting just days ahead of another U.S. government shutdown.
The massive package covers the remainder of the government’s fiscal year, through Sept. 30, and boosts discretionary spending by about $50 billion over last year.
In addition to funding federal agencies, the legislation permanently repeals three taxes that were created to pay for the Affordable Care Act; increases the purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21; funds $425 million in election-security grants; and includes a 3.1% pay raise for civilian and military federal employees, among other provisions.
Without passage by the Senate and President Donald Trump’s signature, the government is scheduled to partially shutdown after midnight Friday. Senate approval is expected soon.
Lawmakers approved about $1.4 billion for Trump’s border wall under the deal, which is far less than he wanted. Still, the package doesn’t stop him from moving money from other parts of the government to fund his project.
The sprawling legislation was split into two parts, with one focused on domestic matters and the other on national security. Lawmakers voted on each part individually.
A tax provision sought by Tesla TSLA, -0.72%, General Motors GM, +0.62% and other players in the electric-vehicle industry didn’t make it into the deal. U.S. insurers PRU, +0.74% MET, +1.28% and other financial-industry players, meanwhile, scored a victory with the inclusion of a retirement provision that aims to boost the use of annuities.
Also read: Retirement bill backed by insurers makes it into spending deal.
The vote came amid an historic week in Washington, with House lawmakers expected to vote to impeach Trump on Wednesday. Democrats say the president abused his power by withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure that country into announcing an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden. Democrats also charge that Trump obstructed Congress.
The president has denied any wrongdoing. A Senate trial is expected in January, and Trump is likely to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled body.
Now read: Here’s what’s happening next in Democrats’ effort to impeach President Trump.
