FY10 Appropriations Moves Forward

Against the backdrop of increasing tensions in Afghanistan and as the Senate Finance Committee waits to vote on health care legislation, Congress resumes consideration of the FY10 Appropriations bills.  Last week, the first spending bill, Legislative Branch, was signed into law and included a stop-gap funding measure or continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating at non-emergency FY09 levels until October 31^st.  The House also passed its second conference report, Energy-Water, which is now pending Senate action, and is expected to take up the Agriculture bill by mid-week.

Today, the Senate begins consideration of the Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill, and plans to complete the Defense bill tomorrow. Once both bills are completed, the Senate has four remaining bills to consider, including the $48.7 billion FY10 State, Foreign Operations measure, which represents the largest component of the International Affairs Budget.  It remains unclear when the Senate plans to bring up the bill.  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.

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