House Approves Remaining FY 2009 Spending Bills, Provides Increase in Construction Spending

The U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday approved a $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill that includes the remaining nine of 12 annual spending bills not enacted prior to the end of fiscal year 2008 on September 30, 2008. The bill passed by a vote of 245 to 178. The majority of federal government programs are currently operating under a continuing resolution that expires on March 6. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. An AGC analysis of the omnibus appropriations bill shows that Congress would increase funding for federal construction programs by 5.5 percent above the FY 2008 level. AGC found that Congress provided $115.6 billion for federal construction programs in FY 2008. The omnibus would provide $121.9 billion for the same accounts. AGC has prepared a chart that compares the amounts in the omnibus with the levels Congress enacted in FY 2008 and those President Bush recommended in his FY 2009 budget request to Congress.