Senate Appropriations Committee Releases Short-Term Continuing Resolution
Agreement Maintains Government Operations through Dec. 9, Provides Funding for Veterans, Zika Virus Fight, Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C – The Senate Appropriations Committee today released a short-term continuing appropriations measure to maintain government operations through Dec. 9, 2016.
The short-term continuing resolution (CR) package includes the FY2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill and also provides $1.1 billion in supplemental funding to combat the Zika virus. The bill also makes $500 million available to address immediate disaster recovery needs in Louisiana and other states.
“This continuing resolution will maintain government operations while we work toward completing the FY2017 appropriations process. It will ensure stability for our men and women in uniform, continue important security and law enforcement programs, and respond to pressing issues such as Zika and disaster recovery. I encourage its adoption,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).
The CR maintains discretionary funding at a rate of $1.067 trillion and Overseas Contingency Operations funding at a rate of $74.096 billion.
The FY2017 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act will fund the Department of Veterans Affairs, military construction, and family housing priorities through the end of FY2017. Enactment of this bill, which provides record funding for veterans, would mark the first time since 2009 that a regular appropriations bill has been signed into law before the end of the fiscal year.
The $1.1 billion in supplemental emergency funding will allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to combat the Zika virus domestically and internationally. This is the same amount approved by the Senate in May, and included in the conference report repeatedly filibustered by Senate Democrats. The funding in the Zika supplemental is subject to Hyde Amendment restrictions. The agreement does not include a provision that would have suspended duplicative EPA permitting requirements for mosquito control.
The package also provides $500 million in supplemental funding in response to severe flooding in Louisiana and other states. These Community Development Block Grant funds will be available to meet immediate recovery needs. The agreement to include disaster relief assistance for Louisiana was aided by the work of U.S. Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy, the only Louisiana delegation member serving on an appropriations committee.
The CR would also provide a higher rate of operations for the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to begin implementation of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement that Act using FY2017 funds.
A limited number of “anomalies,” which are programmatic or funding changes related to unique situations arising during the duration of the CR, are incorporated in the legislation. Among them are additional funding and authorities related to the transition and inauguration of the incoming Presidential administration.
The legislation rescinds $400 million in funding and returns that funding to the federal treasury.
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RELATED FILES
• Continuing Resolution Legislation: http://bit.ly/2coPRXR
• Continuing Resolution Section-by-Section Summary: http://bit.ly/2dmKiyi
• Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Summary: http://bit.ly/2cZLfbo
• Zika Research, Treatment, and Control Funding Summary: http://bit.ly/2d4akE4
• Explanatory Statement: Front: http://bit.ly/2d3Eadv
• Explanatory Statement: Division A: http://bit.ly/2crGHip
• Explanatory Statement: Divisions B, C, D: http://bit.ly/2cPdLlK
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