2009 Omnibus Spending Bill Passed by the House

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 245 to 178 (largely along party lines) to approve a $410 Billion “omnibus” bill combining nine appropriations measures needed to fund the federal government through September, the end of its fiscal year.

This bill is needed because Democratic lawmakers couldn't agree with former President Bush on a budget for this year. They had managed to pass spending bills for the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veteran Affairs, but the rest of the government has been continuing to operate at 2008 spending levels. Some major items of note are:

• $410 Billion in spending, which is an 8.7% increase over 2008
  
• 8,500 to 9,000 earmarks totaling between $5 billion - $7.7 billion
• Travel restrictions to Cuba eased
  
• Washington, DC school voucher program killed
  

The Senate now must consider its own version. Current funding runs out March 6.

Remember, this is in addition to all of the recent spending that has been passed (bailouts, stimulus, etc.).