On September 8, Congress passed H.R. 601, as amended, a bill to fund the government, provide disaster relief, and suspend the debt limit. The measure includes a continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government funded through December 8 at the same levels as FY2017.
The CR is necessary as Congress completes negotiations on the eight remaining FY2018 spending bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/21/17); Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/28/17); Financial Services and General Government (see The Source, 7/14/17); Homeland Security; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/21/17); State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/21/17); and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/28/17).
In July, the House approved a package of spending bills for the Defense; Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Legislative Branch; and Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 7/28/17).
Among other provisions, the legislation includes $15.3 billion in disaster relief funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The measure also suspends the current debt limit through December 8.
The bill includes previously passed provisions of the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), to promote programs that improve access to education for women and girls in developing countries (see The Source, 8/4/17).
