Senate to Vote on CR
Today, the Senate is expected to vote on the Legislative Branch conference report, which includes a month-long continuing resolution (CR), just before the fiscal year ends. The CR is will fund the federal government through October 31 at non-emergency FY09 spending levels: $38.2 billion for the International Affairs Budget. Last week, the House passed the Legislative Branch conference report by a vote of 217 to 190.
The Senate continues debate on the Defense Appropriations bill, with a vote expected later this week. House and Senate Conferees are expected to meet today to finalize the Agriculture and Energy-Water bills and the House is expected to vote on them as early as Thursday. 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.
