Congress should craft a long-term budget deal now rather than continue budget gridlock by approving a long-term Continuing Resolution (CR), according to five major defense associations. Leaders of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Air Force Association (AFA), Navy League, and National Guard Association sent a letter this week urging congress [...]
Congress is currently debating a bill to disapprove the Iran nuclear deal and working to put together a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government running after September 30. Both of these issues are staring at a deadline that requires immediate action. Congress has until September 17 to act to either approve or disapprove the [...]
With the Continuing Resolution (CR) on FY2015 funding set to expire at midnight, the House passed a $1.013 trillion FY 2015 Appropriations bill that funds the Department of Defense Appropriations bill and 10 other bills (including Military Construction /VA) through the end of FY2015. The Homeland Security Appropriations bill, subject to intense debate after the [...]
Congress has returned this week to complete legislative action in the shadow of last week’s election. When the 114th Congress convenes in January, Republicans will control both houses. Republicans will gain control of the Senate with an increase of least 8 seats. Republicans will increase their House majority by at least 12 seats, with five district elections [...]
The president signed a FY2015 Continuing Resolution (CR)—H.J. Res 124—that will fund the government through December 11, 2014. The House passed the CR (319-108) last Wednesday and the Senate approved it (78-22) on Thursday, 78-22. After the Senate passed CR, Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) chair Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said the goal of the CR [...]
With the December 13 deadline less than one month away, the House/Senate budget conference committee held its second formal meeting amid growing frustration about the lack of progress it's making. The committee heard testimony from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf on budgetary and economic projections. However, during much of the meeting committee members [...]
The government reopened yesterday and a debt ceiling crisis was averted after a last-minute deal was approved by the House and signed by the president. In recent days the pressure had intensified on Congress to act to avoid a government default before October 17 and end the Government shutdown. Wednesday night, the Senate (81-18) and [...]
After rejecting the provision in the House-passed FY2014 Continuing Resolution (CR) to defund the Health Care Act, the Senate passed, on a strict party line vote (55-44), a CR that would keep the government operating until November 15. The Senate CR also excludes House language that would require a prioritization of debt payments should Congress [...]
With the threat of a government shutdown looming, the Pentagon yesterday advised its employees it is beginning to prepare for a possible shutdown next week. Congress has until October 1 to pass and send to the president a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the government until final FY2014 appropriations are completed. The House has [...]
In a precautionary move, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed agencies to review their plans for operating in the absence of appropriations if an agreement if not reached on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. FY2014 begins on October 1 (less than two weeks away) and congressional Republicans and the Administration [...]