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gistfile1.txt

Here’s a **clear summary of H.R. 2617 from the 117th Congress (2021–2022)** based on the text and official descriptions available: ([Congress.gov][1])

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## 📘 **H.R. 2617 — *Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023***

**Status:** Became **Public Law No. 117-328** on **Dec. 29, 2022**. ([Congress.gov][2])

This bill is a **massive federal funding and policy package** that *bundles multiple appropriations and policy provisions* into a single law for the 2023 fiscal year. Appropriations bills fund government departments and programs; consolidated appropriations combine many of them into one measure when separate spending bills aren’t passed individually. ([Congress.gov][1])

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## 🏛️ **1. Federal Spending & Appropriations**

H.R. 2617 provides funding for many federal agencies and programs for **Fiscal Year 2023**, including: ([Congress.gov][1])

### ➤ **Key Departments and Agencies Funded**

* **NASA** — science, aeronautics, space operations, STEM programs, safety, construction, and more. ([Congress.gov][1])
* **Dept. of the Interior** — water projects, Bureau of Reclamation programs, Central Utah Project, etc. ([Congress.gov][1])
* **EPA & Environment** — grants, cleanup programs, and environmental protection. ([Congress.gov][1])
* **Health and Human Services** — CDC, NIH research, child care and family support, emergency health funds. ([Congress.gov][1])
* **Transportation** — highway and transit infrastructure funding and regulatory provisions. ([Congress.gov][1])
* **HUD & Housing Programs** — fair housing, lead hazard control, local projects. ([Congress.gov][1])

The bill also sets rules and limits on how these appropriated funds may be used. ([Congress.gov][1])

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## 🔧 **2. Policy Riders and Provisions**

In addition to funding, the bill includes **policy provisions** and other actions attached to different titles: ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🧪 **Research & Regulation**

* Blocks FDA from recognizing applications for editing human embryos with heritable genetic changes. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🍇 **Agriculture Limits**

* Restricts enforcement of certain food safety regulations for specific crops (like wine grapes and almonds). ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🪖 **Veteran Farming Support**

* Creates pilot grants to help veterans start or expand farming and ranching opportunities. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🤖 **Safety & Aviation**

* Includes exemptions and safety requirements for certain Boeing aircraft and directs aviation studies and task forces. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🇺🇸 **“No TikTok on Government Devices Act”**

* Requires removal of TikTok (and successor apps from the same developer) from federal agency IT systems, with exceptions for law enforcement and security research. ([Congress.gov][1])

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## 💡 **3. Additional Components Embedded Within the Bill**

Because this consolidated bill is so large, it also incorporates several *stand-alone laws and major policy packages*, including: ([Congress.gov][1])

### 📌 **SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022**

A broad retirement savings reform package that expands coverage, improves incentives, and modifies retirement plan rules. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🛫 **Travel and Tourism Measures**

Establishes roles and strategies to support U.S. travel and tourism growth and recovery post-COVID. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🧑‍⚕️ **Medicaid & CHIP Updates**

Extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding and expands continuous eligibility for children. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🐋 **North Atlantic Right Whale Protection**

Directs NOAA to support whale conservation and postpones certain proposed fishing gear regulations. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 🤱 **PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act**

Expands workplace protections for employees who need to express breast milk and clarifies work-time rules. ([Congress.gov][1])

### 💼 **Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022**

Adjusts federal merger filing fee schedules and reporting requirements for antitrust enforcement agencies. ([Congress.gov][1])

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## 🧠 **Why This Bill Is So Big**

H.R. 2617 effectively served as a **must-pass spending package** that both:

* **Funds the federal government** for the 2023 fiscal year; and
* **Bundles multiple unrelated laws and policy reforms** into one legislative vehicle. ([Congress.gov][2])

These bundled provisions range from environmental conservation to retirement reform, international tourism strategy, health care policy, and tech/bureaucratic rules.

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If you want, I can also break this down by *division* or *individual title* (e.g., detailed summary of the SECURE 2.0 portion or the travel/tourism reforms).

[1]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617?utm_source=chatgpt.com "H.R.2617 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress"
[2]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2617/titles?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Titles - H.R.2617 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress"