Yesterday, the House passed the 2022 omnibus funding package as well as a four-day stopgap measure extending current funding levels through March 15 to ensure there’s no lapse in appropriations while the Senate works to get the larger measure to President Biden’s desk. While some important funding did make it through to the final spending package, it is more limited in scope than we hoped and does not include the policy priorities for nonprofits that were outlined in the letter we asked you to sign on to. Additionally, a portion of the bill posted yesterday – but since removed – would have partially paid for additional COVID spending sought by the White House by rescinding any of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. This revision removed $15.6 billion in funding for immediate COVID-19 needs. The Rules Committee also approved consideration of a standalone bill (H.R. 7007) to provide the COVID funding sought by the White House, but without the claw back of state and local ARPA funds which ultimately was delayed until next week. This nearly 3,000 page omnibus spending measure does not include a tax title or policy riders that would affect nonprofits.  
 
Here’s what the omnibus funding does include: 
 
  • $730 billion for domestic programs 
  • $14 billion in Ukraine assistance 
  • $12.6 billion for the Internal Revenue Service  
  • $6.2 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant to supplement state general revenue funds for child care assistance for low-income families 
  • $75 million for Election Security Grants to help States secure election systems and improve election administration 
  • The legislation revives congressionally directed spending (which some of you may know as earmarks), providing billions in targeted investments in the work of thousands of nonprofits across the country 
 
Read the text of the spending package, full summary of the 12 regular appropriations bill, and, in particular, the Financial Services and General Government summary and one-pager.  
 
We’re disappointed that the policy priorities that the nonprofit sector has been pushing for did not make it into this legislation, however, there are continued opportunities to advocate for nonprofit relief in upcoming spending bills – including a potential spring budget reconciliation bill, upcoming tax bills, and special funding efforts for disaster relief and additional pandemic related aid. We’ll continue to send updates for you to advocate for federal support on behalf of Oregon nonprofits as opportunities arise.
Help build the paid leave program! 
Oregon’s paid leave program needs your feedback – we encourage nonprofit leaders to attend so you can share your feedback, concerns and recommendations to help build a better program for all Oregonians.

The Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (PFMLI) program is currently working on rules about paid leave benefits, covering topics such as: 

  • How much money someone may receive in a benefit year 
  • How to apply for paid leave benefits 
  • How the department will verify someone is eligible for paid leave 
  • If and how workers must give notice to their employers 
 
The Oregon Employment Department invite you to participate in their next Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting on March 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on these rules, but there will be more opportunities in the coming months.
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