Congress Extends Temporary
Funding, Defers FY 2003 Decisions until January
November 15, 2002 - The House Nov. 13 passed another
continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal programs through
Jan. 11, putting an end to the debate on whether Congress
would return to Washington in December to attempt to finish
the FY 2003 appropriations bills. The House approved the measure
(H.J.Res.
124), which funds programs at the FY 2002 level, by a
vote of 270 to 143.
The Senate may take up the CR as early as Nov. 14. Senate
Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who will assume control
of the Senate in January, has indicated his preference to
keep the lame duck session short and defer the FY 2003 funding
decisions until next year. Some Senate Democrats, particularly
Appropriations Chair Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) are reported to
be considering ways to delay or amend the CR, but with the
House tentatively set to adjourn for the year on Nov. 14,
there is little hope of passing anything more than the new
CR.
Appropriators in both the House and Senate remain skeptical
that Congress will be able to complete any of the 11 remaining
FY 2003 appropriations bills until February or March, raising
the possibility that the White House and Congressional conservatives
may push for a year-long CR or significantly reduce funding
increases proposed for programs like the National Institutes
of Health.
Dave Moore, Senior Associate Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
dbmoore@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
Get Washington Highlights
in your Inbox!
| 
