Senate Begins Debate on FY
2003 Funding
January 17, 2003 - The Senate Jan. 15 began work on
an effort to complete the 11 FY 2003 appropriations bills
that have not yet been enacted. The Senate adopted an omnibus
spending package containing the 11 unfinished appropriations
bills during its debate on a continuing resolution (CR).
The Senate action is part of a GOP strategy to complete the
FY 2003 spending bills by the President's Jan. 28 State of
the Union address. The House Jan. 8 passed two CRs by voice
vote. The first (H.J.Res.
1) continues funding for federal programs at FY 2002 levels
through Jan. 31. The Senate approved this measure on Jan.
9, and the President signed it (P.L. 108-2) on Jan. 11. The
second CR (H.J.Res.
2) is being used as the vehicle for Senate passage of
the remaining appropriations bills. Once the Senate completes
action on this measure, it will go to the House-Senate committee
conference.
The Senate had been unable to begin work on the FY 2003 appropriations
because of delays in passing its organizing resolution, which,
among other functions, confirms the selection of committee
chairs and the appointment of committee members. Because of
these delays, Senate Appropriations Chair Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)
had to cancel a Appropriations Committee mark-up of the 11
appropriations bills scheduled for Jan. 10. As a result, Chairman
Stevens brought the omnibus spending package directly to the
Senate floor, bypassing committee consideration.
The Labor-HHS-Education section of the bill reportedly is
$2.7 billion less than the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations
bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee last July.
In addition, the omnibus package includes a 1.6 percent across-the-board
cut of the funding levels proposed in the bill to offset additional
funding for several purposes, including drought relief and
several Medicare-related provisions (see
related article).
At press time, the Senate is debating a series of Democratic
amendments to provide additional funds for a variety of purposes,
including homeland security and education.
Information:
Dave Moore, Senior Associate Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
dbmoore@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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