Location: 114th

(September 23, 2016) – Congress is making the final push to approve a continuing resolution before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2016.  On Tuesday, September 20^th, the Senate agreed to move to consideration of a measure that would keep the federal government functioning under current spending levels until December 9, 2016.  This is necessary to allow Congress to complete work on Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) spending bills.  Even though both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have completed work on all the FY17 spending bills, not a single appropriations measure has been approved by both chambers and sent to the White House for the President’s signature.

Although the Senate has made some progress on the temporary spending measure, differences remain over funding levels to combat the Zika virus and provide assistance for the flooding in the Southeast.  Additional, members of Congress are debating whether to include funds to address lead-contaminated waters in Flint, MI.

The Senate could vote on the continuing resolution the afternoon of Tuesday, September 27^th, but the two sides will need to resolve their differences to ensure passage of the measure.  Should the Senate approve the bill, the House is currently operating under modified rules that will allow for expedited consideration and approval of the bill.