Just before the previous Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY 2018 funding would have expired on December 8, Congress cleared a two-week extension of government funding. Funds will continue to flow at current levels until December 22 in order to allow more time for an agreement on FY 2018 funding levels to be reached.
Congressional leaders hope they will be able to reach a deal by that date to raise both the defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding cap levels – likely for FY 2018 and FY 2019, in order to allow final funding bills to be completed. Other issues that may be included in any year-end agreement on funding include emergency funding for disaster relief, how to deal with Dreamers and reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Even if a deal is reached, a third CR will likely be needed in order to provide time to actually write appropriations bills under the revised funding caps. If a deal is not reached, the possibility of a government shutdown still exists. Stay tuned for more information as the appropriations battle unfolds!
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