Appropriations in Gridlock
October 4, 2002-A new federal fiscal year began Oct.
1 with the appropriations process in complete gridlock, as
Congress finds itself in the highly unusual position of having
completed none of the 13 regular appropriations bills for
FY 2003. The government is currently operating under a continuing
resolution (CR), which continues funding for programs at the
FY 2002 level through Oct. 11.
The House and Senate Oct. 3 passed a second CR that will
run through Oct. 11, which until recently had been the target
date for Congressional adjournment. However, the chances of
Congress leaving town on that date appear to be fading with
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) promising the
Senate will return to legislation (H.R.
5005) to establish a Department of Homeland Security once
debate on Iraq has been completed. House Appropriations Chair
C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) told the House Rules Committee Oct.
2 that he anticipates that another CR will be required through
Oct. 18.
The CQ Daily Monitor reported Oct. 3 that House Republicans
have discussed a scenario where the House would not adjourn
for the elections but instead would pass weekly CRs to keep
open the option of reconvening to consider a conference report
on the homeland security bill if the Senate finishes its work
on the measure. Under this strategy, a small group of leaders
from both parties would pass the CRs by unanimous consent
agreements, allowing most members to leave Washington. Members
could be recalled if needed to act on a homeland security
conference report.
Still to be decided is whether Congress will return after
the Nov. 5 election for a "lame duck" session, or
pass a CR that extends into 2003, leaving the funding issues
to be resolved in the 108th Congress. Chairman Young continues
to urge Congress to complete its appropriations work in December,
fearing complications if Congress must complete the FY 2003
bills at the same time as considering supplemental appropriations
bills and starting the FY 2004 budget process. The White House
and conservative Republicans in the House appear to favor
a long-term CR as a strategy to hold discretionary funding
in FY 2003 to the level proposed in the President's budget.
Information:
Dave Moore, Senior Associate Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
dbmoore@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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