Legislative Updates

Congress Passes Second Short-Term Continuing Resolution Through December 22; Work on Full Year Omnibus Continues

Legislative Update
December 17, 2015

Update: Due to procedural delays in finalizing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill), on December 16 Congress had to pass a second short-term Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 78) which funds the government through Tuesday, December 22. The bill passed both chambers by voice vote, and President Obama signed the legislation Wednesday evening. Congress expects to pass the FY2016 Omnibus bill this week.

Legislative Update
December 14, 2015

Late December 11, President Obama signed a short-term Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Continuing Resolution (CR) after Congress was unable to pass a full-year Omnibus Appropriations bill due to continued disputes over policy riders that cover a wide range of issues. The short-term CR expires December 16, extending the prior CR that expired December 11.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2250, the five-day Continuing Resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government December 11 by voice vote, after the Senate had passed the bill Thursday, also by voice vote.

Congressional leaders worked through the weekend to resolve the policy rider disputes that are holding up the full year Omnibus bill, hoping to bring the final legislation to the House today in order to meet the required three-day period of review before the legislation can be brought to the House floor for a vote.