Congress Passes Continuing Resolution

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With the end of the fiscal year upon it, Congress, as expected, passed a continuing resolution (CR) last Wednesday to provide short-term funds to government agencies and prevent a government shutdown. As reported by Congressional Quarterly (subscription required), the CR will keep most discretionary programs operating at fiscal 2009 levels through Oct. 31. Congress intends to use the extra time to pass its remaining FY 2010 appropriations bills.

Conferees meeting to discuss the Legislative Branch appropriations bill attached the CR the week prior in anticipation of Congress failing to pass all twelve spending bills before the end of the fiscal year. With agreement to the conference report by the Senate on Sept. 30, just days after the House agreed to the report, Congress sent the measure to the president for his signature, which he provided the next day.

While most programs will operate at the previous fiscal year's levels, some agencies will operate at higher spending levels. These exceptions include the Veterans Health Administration, which will receive funding at a rate of $44.3 billion, or $3.85 billion more than it received in fiscal 2009, and the Census Bureau, which will receive funding at a rate of $7.1 billion, or $3.9 billion more than it received last year.

With some of the most contentious appropriations bills coming up for debate in the Senate – including the defense and homeland security spending measures – Congress may need to pass another CR to provide more time for passing its remaining spending legislation. Or, if a consensus cannot be reached in a timely manner, Congress may be forced to wrap up its appropriations work with the dreaded omnibus spending bill.

Image by Flickr user jasonpearce used under a Creative Commons license.

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