(Oct. 7, 2008) Faced with an appropriations stalemate, a distressed economy, and a looming general election, Congress decided in late September to delay the finalization of funding issues until next year, long after the new President is sworn in.
Over the September 27-28 weekend the House and Senate passed and sent to the President a bill that combines the Defense, Veterans/Military Construction and Homeland Security FY 2009 appropriations bills, with a Continuing Resolution (CR) that funds the rest of the federal government at FY 2008 levels. The President signed the bill on September 30.
The CR covers virtually all of the programs that are of interest to COMs. Title VII, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, discretionary student aid programs, and the National Institutes of Health all will be funded at FY 08 levels through March 6, the bill’s termination date
What is not known is whether the new Congress that is sworn in shortly after New Year’s Day will take up these “old” appropriations issues or will decide to extend the CR to September 30, effectively freezing spending for the full year at last year’s level. There is precedent from 2007 to do exactly that, although Congress was criticized for taking that action.
Congress’s inability to finalize appropriations bills is a relatively new phenomenon and a reflection of how polarized our politics have become. Until recent years, appropriations were considered “must pass” legislation.
See other Appropriations information.