Federal Funding Continuing Resolution Status Update

Originally House Republican leaders had hoped to conclude debate today (Thursday, February 17) on HR 1, the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the Federal government through the remainder of the 2011 Fiscal Year (through September 2011).  But because of the host of amendments offered regarding the CR, a final vote on the funding measure could now slip into the President's Day week-long recess, which is scheduled to begin this weekend.

Here is today's House schedule, from Majority Leader Cantor's (R-VA-7th) office.  A link to C-SPAN's live coverage of the House floor proceedings can be found here.  The Majority Leader's office circulated a memo yesterday regarding the House schedule, which said, "When the House finishes its business for the week will depend on how many of the 400 plus remaining amendments are offered, how long members choose to speak on those amendments, and which amendments receive recorded roll call votes."

What's next - The Senate is expected to take up the CR legislation after it returns from its recess at the end of the month, but the House measure - however it turns out - is unlikely to pass that chamber.  The CR currently funding the Federal government expires on March 4.  There is very little chance that the Senate will pass its version of the appropriations bill and then come to a compromise agreement with the House that President would endorse in the five days between February 28, when Congress returns from its recess, and March 4. So another short-term CR will almost certainly be passed during that post-recess period.  House Speaker Boehner (R-OH-8th) on Thursday said that even that short-term, stop-gap bill would have to contain spending cuts, stating, “I am not going to move any kind of short-term CR at current levels."