Last week, the House continued to make progress on appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2012. The House passed the Homeland Security bill by a vote of 231-188 — the first of the 2012 bills to clear the House. The House also began debate on the Military Construction/ Veterans Affairs bill and is expected to resume its consideration after this week’s recess.
Prior to considering the Homeland Security bill, the House approved a deeming resolution to permit its budget resolution to be enforced in the House. This marks the second year in a row that a procedural shortcut was necessary because Congress failed to agree on a budget resolution. While the House has passed a budget resolution this year, the Senate Budget Committee has delayed consideration of one until bipartisan debt limit negotiations are complete. The budget resolution should have been completed by April 15.
Also last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Agriculture bill and subcommittees completed work on the Defense bill and the Energy and Water bill.
External links:
Summary of Energy and Water Bill
Summary of Defense Bill
Summary of Agriculture Bill
Summary of Military Construction/ Veterans Affairs Bill
Summary of Homeland Security Bill
CBO: Current Status of FY 2012 Appropriations
Statements of House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Norm Dicks
