Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
Dec 29, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 4459
Became law: Dec 29, 2022
Dec 29, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 4459
Became law: Dec 29, 2022
Full breakdown available
This pages provides a high-level overview of this law. For full list of provisions, line-item appropriations, and specific funding allocations, please view our detailed breakdown.
Summary
Provides money for nearly all federal government departments for the 2023 fiscal year, including extra aid for Ukraine and disaster relief.
What problem does this solve?
The federal government needs money to operate and provide services. This law gives federal agencies their budgets for the year to prevent a government shutdown.
What does this law do?
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Electoral count reform and presidential transition improvement
Reforms the certification of presidential elections
Changes the process for counting electoral votes to prevent future challenges to presidential election results. It clarifies that the Vice President's role is only ceremonial.
Changes rules for retirement savings
Makes major updates to retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs. It includes provisions for automatic enrollment, higher catch-up contribution limits for older workers, and changes to required minimum distributions.
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Additional Ukraine supplemental appropriations act, 2023
Provides billions in emergency aid
Allocates supplemental funding for emergency military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and provides money for communities in the U.S. recovering from natural disasters.
Bans TikTok on government devices
Prohibits the social media application TikTok from being used on electronic devices owned by the federal government due to security concerns.
Adds workplace protections for pregnant and nursing mothers
Requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and expands requirements for employers to provide time and a private space for nursing mothers.
Prevents a pay raise for members of Congress
Stops the automatic cost-of-living pay adjustment for Members of Congress for fiscal year 2023.
Funds the Department of Defense
Provides appropriations for military personnel, operation and maintenance, procurement, and research for the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2023.
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Departments of labor, health and human services, and education, and related ag...
Funds health and human services programs
Provides funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, including money for the National Institutes of Health and public health programs.
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Military construction, veterans affairs, and related agencies appropriations a...
Funds veterans benefits and healthcare
Provides appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including funding for military construction projects and medical care for veterans.
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Department of homeland security appropriations act, 2023
Funds homeland security operations
Provides funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, and other homeland security functions.
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Transportation, housing and urban development, and related agencies appropriat...
Funds transportation and housing programs
Provides funding for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including money for highways, transit, and rental assistance programs.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government employees
- U.S. taxpayers
- Recipients of federal programs and benefits (including veterans, students, and low-income families)
What is the real world impact?
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Keeps the government running
Provides the necessary funding for federal agencies to continue their operations and pay employees for the 2023 fiscal year, avoiding a government shutdown.
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Provides emergency aid
Includes large amounts of extra funding to address urgent situations, specifically providing military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and relief for communities hit by natural disasters.
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Passes major policy changes
Attaches significant, unrelated laws to a must-pass spending bill. This includes major reforms to retirement savings (SECURE 2.0 Act), new workplace protections for pregnant and nursing mothers, and changes to how presidential election results are certified.
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Bans TikTok on government devices
Includes a provision that prohibits the use of the social media app TikTok on most devices owned by the federal government, citing security concerns.
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Forces a single vote on many issues
Combining numerous spending bills and policy changes into one massive package forces a single 'yes' or 'no' vote. This makes it difficult for lawmakers to oppose specific parts without voting against funding the entire government.
When does this start?
This law provides funding for the federal government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and most of its provisions became effective on December 29, 2022.
Fiscal Year 2023 Funding
The law appropriates funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.
Child Nutrition and WIC Funding Availability
Funds for Child Nutrition Programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) remain available through September 30, 2024.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Funding
Many grants for youth, adult, and dislocated worker activities under WIOA become available on either April 1, 2023, or July 1, 2023, and remain available through June 30, 2024.
Military Construction Funding
Most funds for military construction projects remain available for obligation until September 30, 2027.
Advance Appropriations for Veterans' Healthcare
The law provides advance funding for several Department of Veterans Affairs medical accounts that will become available on October 1, 2023, for fiscal year 2024.