Financial Services, General Government Spending Bill Approved by Senate Committee

On June 16, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved, by voice vote, the FY2017 Financial Services and General Government spending bill (S. 3067). The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee approved the measure on June 15. The House Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill (H.R. 5485) on June 9 (see The Source, 6/10/16).

According to the committee report, the bill would allocate $22.4 billion for the Department of Treasury, Executive Office of the President, federal courts, and several agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA). This amount is approximately $1 billion below FY2016 and $2 billion below President Obama’s FY2017 budget request.

The bill would provide $871 million for SBA in FY2017. The amount includes funding for the National Women’s Business Council, Women’s Business Centers programs, and Small Business Development Centers. Like the House bill, S. 3067 also would allocate funds for the Veteran-Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V–WISE) as part of the Veterans’ Outreach programs.

Among other provisions, the bill maintains the prohibition against funding for abortions under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. In addition, the measure continues the restriction on the use of federal funds for abortions and includes a “conscience clause” with regard to contraceptive coverage under health insurance plans.

The following chart details programs important to women and their families.