November 16, 2006

Continuing Resolution Extended to December 8

Before the election recess, Congress adopted a continuing resolution to keep many federal agencies and programs operating through November 17, since only the Defense and Homeland Security appropriations bills were enacted before the end of fiscal year 2006.  A continuing resolution provides budget authority for agencies and programs to sustain operations when appropriations are not enacted by the time a new fiscal year begins. This continuing resolution provides funding at the lowest of House passed, Senate passed, or-in the case of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-fiscal year 2006 levels, as the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill did not make it to the floor of either chamber for a vote.

Two days after reconvening on November 13, Congress cleared a continuing resolution that, once signed by the President, will extend to December 8 temporary funding for domestic and foreign affairs programs not covered by the Defense and Homeland Security bills. The current continuing resolution, which was included in the Defense spending bill, expired November 17.

At the time of this writing, it is not expected that Congress will tackle the contentious Labor-HHS-Education spending bill. While it could be folded into a larger omnibus spending bill, many suspect that the bill will be kicked to the 110 th Congress in January and the continuing resolution will be extended through February 2007.

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