Appropriations for CTCs-- currently tagged at $80 million under VA-HUD-- have not progressed since late summer. As of this writing, the Senate has only passed 7 out of its 13 spending bills, three just made it out of committee but have yet to be voted upon, and two have not made it out of committee. More significantly, only one-- Interior appropriations-- has actually been reported out of its House-Senate conference committee. No other appropriations bill has made it to House-Senate conference yet. VA-HUD appropriations did pass both individual chambers over the summer, and each has already appointed conferees to meet on the bill, but the conference has not yet taken place. Both House and Senate versions do call for $80 million for CTCs. Since the fiscal year ended on 9/30/01, the federal government has been operating through continuing resolutions to fund its activities, first until 10/16, then 10/23, and another will come soon, until all spending bills have been passed. In addition, this week Congress took time out, in the wake of anthrax scares, to ensure the safety of workers in congressional buildings. So a range of deliberation has been halted until at least next week. There has been, however, a broader tension in the Senate between Democrats who want to finish up the remaining spending bills, and Republicans who want to raise the issue of stalled judicial nominees.