Spending Bills Move, But Problems Lie Ahead

摘要

Congressional appropriators are picking up the pace, seeking to clear as many of the 12 individual fiscal 2009 spending bills as possible for floor action. But odds are that no more than a few of the measures will be enacted before FY 2009 starts on Oct. 1. That means most key construction accounts probably will be funded by stopgap continuing resolutions, or CRs. Many probably will end up being folded into a massive omnibus bill. As of July 8, none of the 12 measures had passed the House or Senate. The House Appropriations Committee had approved five; the Senate committee expected to have six done by July 10. Early numbers show gains for military construction, with a big jump for base realignment and closure funds (see table). Other areas have had mixed results. House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) says Democrats hope to finish some of the individual bills, but adds, "It depends on the attitude of the White House and the Republican minority."