Big Week in Senate; House to Consider CR
As the Senate Finance Committee begins hearings today for the fifth and final health care overhaul bill, Congress continues to move forward on the FY10 Appropriations process. With only 8 days until the start of the 2010 fiscal year, Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government open. The House is expected to consider a month-long CR on Wednesday, keeping with the Democratic leadership’s goal of completing the FY10 Appropriations process by the end of October. The House is also expected later in the week to appoint conferees for the five bills that passed both chambers: Agriculture, Energy-Water, Homeland Security, Legislative Branch, and Transportation-HUD.
Today, the Senate continues to debate the Interior-Environment bill and may take up the Defense bill later in the week. It remains unclear whether or not the Senate will have the time to bring up the $48.7 billion FY10 State, Foreign Operations bill, the largest component of the International Affairs Budget. If not, then it may be wrapped up into a “mini-bus” bill with any other unfinished Appropriations bills. Currently, The FY10 International Affairs Budget is on track to be funded at $51 billion, $2.9 billion or 5.4% below the Administration’s request.
