Special Interest Groups Gain Major Wins in New Spending Bill

The $1.3 trillion spending bill has sparked debate between Republicans and Democrats over which party emerged victorious. However, the true beneficiaries are numerous interest groups, ranging from wealthy foreign investors to cranberry researchers, who have received substantial support through this legislation.

Medical marijuana advocates have successfully maintained key protections for states permitting medicinal use. Meanwhile, researchers are celebrating a significant boost in government-sponsored research and development funding. Space enthusiasts are thrilled with NASA receiving its largest funding increase in a decade.

Lawmakers from agricultural states have secured provisions to exempt certain emissions from animal manure from government reporting requirements.

Animal welfare advocates are particularly pleased with the bill's effective ban on horse-meat processing plants in the U.S. “We’re pleased that Congress has chosen to stand with the 80 percent of Americans who want America’s horses to be protected, not brutally slaughtered,” said Suzanne Roy, executive director of the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign).

Originally posted by The Washington Times