House Passes FY23 Spending Package, Sending Bill to President and Bringing the 117th Congress to a Close

After a long and arduous appropriations cycle “ and almost three full months into the fiscal year “ the House joined the Senate in approving H.R. 2617, the final fiscal year 2023 omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through September of next year. The measure was approved in the House a few minutes ago by a vote of 225-201 with one member voting present, sending the measure to the President.
 
The final FY23 package includes a number of wins for airports, including nearly $4 billion in funding for 'regular' AIP funding ($3.35 billion) and supplemental AIP discretionary spending ($558.6 million); increased funding for the Contract Tower Program; inclusion of the CONTRACT Act; and funding for the TSA LEO reimbursement program and TSA exit lane staffing. A full list of airport priorities and how they are addressed in the final package can be viewed in our previous Airport Alert. Notably, between the FY23 funding bill and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there is nearly $8 billion in funding available to airports in this fiscal year for important projects.

As Congress wraps up the FY23 budget process and with it closes the book on 2022 and the 117th Congress, we want to say thank you for your continued strong support -- especially our Federal Affairs Members. The positive results that we are able to report on with the final budget agreement and throughout this year are a testament to the engagement and involvement we continue to have from across the airport community. We are grateful for the partnership and look forward to working together in 2023 to advance airport priorities in the upcoming FAA reauthorization process, the annual appropriations cycle, and on the regulatory and security fronts. The operating environment in Washington promises to be more difficult with divided government, but we remain optimistic about our ability to achieve positive results with your help and engagement.

Happy Holidays and all Best Wishes for a Happy Healthy 2023!