Senate to Pass 6th Appropriations Bill; House to Vote on CR Friday
On the heels of President Obama’s first speech before the United Nations General Assembly, Congress continues to move forward on the FY10 Appropriations bills. The House plans to vote on a month-long continuing resolution (CR) on Friday, which is expected to be attached to the Legislative Branch conference report. Conferees are expected to meet later today to finalize the bill. The CR is expected to fund the federal government at non-emergency FY09 spending levels, $38.2 billion for the International Affairs Budget.
Today, the Senate wraps up debate on its 6th appropriations bill, Interior-Environment, and once passed will move next to consider the Defense Appropriations bill. It remains unclear when the Senate plans to bring up the $48.7 billion FY10 State, Foreign Operations bill, the largest component of the International Affairs Budget. If time runs out, the measure may be folded 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.
