Short-Term Bill Funds Government until Dec. 11
Yesterday, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution and sent it to the president for his signature to ensure no lapse in government funds today, the first day of fiscal year 2016. The 10 week-stopgap spending bill, which is set to expire on Dec. 11, was passed in the Senate by a vote of 78-20 and the House by a vote 277-151. In both chambers, the only no votes came from Republicans, who refused to support a bill that did not defund Planned Parenthood.
Congress now must strike a budget deal prior to Dec. 11 or face another potential shutdown. It is anticipated that Congressional leaders and the White House will begin negotiations soon to set a budgetary framework that would allow for the consideration of the fiscal year 2016 appropriations bills – known as an omnibus spending package. Reaching a deal on an omnibus will be challenging considering they will have to come to agreement on spending increases in order to avoid across-the-board sequestration cuts.
The continuing resolution provides regular discretionary funding at an annualized rate of $1.017 trillion. That level is consistent with the discretionary spending limits for defense and non-defense categories enacted under the Budget Control Act. Issues of interest to the construction industry include: the prohibition of federal agencies and contractors from undertaking new construction project starts; $625 million to complete construction of the Veterans Affairs medical center in Denver, Colo.; and continuing to provide MAP-21 funding levels for federal highway and transit programs.
AGC will continue to urge Congress and the administration to work towards an agreement on a budget framework that prioritizes critical federal infrastructure investments.
For more information, please contact Sean O’Neill at oneills@agc.org or (202) 547-8892.