A new continuing resolution (CR) is on its way to the President. H.J.Res. 75 will keep the government operating through November 7 at 2003 levels. It is worth noting that this is a straight CR. Unlike the earlier CR passed by the House last week, H.J.Res. 75 was not a vehicle for an “omnibus” appropriations bill.
The Senate continues to consider appropriations bills individually. The leadership’s intention is to keep any “omnibus” appropriations bill as small as possible. The USDA and VA-HUD bills remain among those not yet considered by the full Senate. It is possible that they will be taken up next week, time permitting.
The House has passed the $87.5 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Funds for reconstruction of Iraq are slightly less than requested by the President ($20.3 billion requested, $18.6 billion provided), but will be grants. The Senate provision to make a portion of the reconstruction money into loans was dropped. The Senate debate on the conference report will begin early next week.
