As lawmakers in Washington left for the holiday break, Congress approved a spending package that will benefit working people and strengthen public services. President Donald Trump has signed it into law, averting a government shutdown.
“This deal includes the creation of student loan assistance for behavioral health workers, a raise for federal workers, relief for mineworkers’ pensions and an increase in education funding, especially for low-income students and students with disabilities,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders in a statement on Tuesday after the House approved the package. “It will also repeal the 40% tax on high-cost worker and retiree benefits so Americans will be better able to maintain and increase their health care benefits.”
More specifically, the approved funding means:
- a total increase of $5 billion for the departments of labor, health and human services, and education;
- large increases for early childhood, library and museum programs;
- $450 million for schools that serve low-income students;
- $410 million for students with disabilities;
- an increase of $550 million for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start;
- and more.
The legislative victory, which will fund the government through Sept. 30, was a bipartisan accomplishment on the heels of the impeachment vote.