BAJI’s campaign against 2024 government budget
2024 Budget Update: House Votes to Avert Government Shutdown
The Black Alliance for Just Immigration has launched a campaign against the fiscal year 2024 budget. In this campaign, we will outline the ways in which the Biden administration and Congress are attempting to pass a budget that contains unrestricted funds for detention, border militarization, and surveillance. These funds perpetuate harmful policies that will disproportionately impact Black migrants. We are demanding and advocating for humane immigration policies and urging that federal funds not be used to further police migrants.
On October 20, 2023, the White House issued a new request for supplemental funding to Congress, outlining a $14 billion aid package to advance national security and support U.S. allies and partners, including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. This request includes $4.5 billion for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and $2.5 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In recent developments, the House has voted to prevent a government shutdown by successfully passing a stopgap bill. The legislation is now on its way to the Senate, with its approval anticipated.
What does this signify? Essentially, the House has chosen to defer critical decisions once again. Their vote extends funding at current levels until January 19 for programs and agencies covered by four appropriations bills: military construction and veterans; agriculture, rural development and Food and Drug Administration; energy and water development; and transportation, housing, and urban development. Funding for the remaining eight will be extended at current levels through February 2.
What implications does this hold for Biden’s supplemental aid request, the focal point of our campaign? Congress will not address this until the upcoming year, with a vote scheduled before February 2nd. Numerous variables may come into play, including the potential amendment of the request. It’s a wait-and-see game at this juncture, as many developments are likely to unfold before February.