Dear Senator:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I am writing to express our support for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (H.R. 2617).
While the omnibus does not include all of the legislative priorities, we hoped to see in the final legislative package of the year it does provide a much needed increase in non-defense discretionary funding and critical investments in Medicaid, education, children's health and worker protection programs. After nearly 10 years, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will finally receive a desperately needed boost in funding. The bill also includes increased funding for Registered Apprenticeships, job creating projects authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and funds to implement the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
During today's consideration of the bill, we urge you to support the addition of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill that received broad bipartisan support in the House, along with the Cassidy-Casey amendment to provide a narrow religious exemption to employers, and to oppose the Lankford amendment. We also urge you to support an amendment to address the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program funding shortfall so that no victims are denied care. This program continues to take care of responders and survivors in every state of the U.S. and nearly every Congressional district.
Once again, we urge you to support H.R. 2617, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, and look forward to President Biden signing it into law before the expiration of the current Continuing Appropriations Act.
Sincerely,
William Samuel
Director, Government Affairs