On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing a bill that avoids a partial shutdown of the federal government while also sending $20 million to Jackson as Mississippi’s capital city continues to battle a water crisis.
All three of Mississippi’s Republican representatives — Guest, Kelly, and Palazzo — voted against the legislation which passed the House largely along party lines. Both Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker voted in favor of the stopgap bill that’s expected to be the last piece of major legislation Congress passes until after the November midterms.
“I am pleased my fellow appropriators agreed to provide more resources to correct the serious shortfalls with Jackson’s water and wastewater infrastructure,” Hyde-Smith said. “The $20 million in this legislation will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to continue work on giving Jackson’s residents more reliable water and wastewater services.”
The funding bill also includes $20 billion in aid for Ukraine, an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, security enhancements for U.S. courts, and a five-year reauthorization of the Food and Drug Administration’s user fee program.
The legislation now heads to desk of President Joe Biden for approval.
