Vol. 39, Number 11 — November 2007

Congress Still Working on Appropriations — “CR” Extended

In the absence of enacted appropriations for FY 2008, the Judiciary, as well as the rest of the federal government, has been operating under a continuing resolution (CR). The President signed the FY 2008 Defense appropriations bill which included language extending the current CR through Friday, December 14.

To date, Congress has sent two (of 12) spending bills to the President for his signature. He signed one into law (Defense) and vetoed the other on spending grounds (Labor-Health and Human Services-Education). Overall, Congress and the President are $22 billion apart on FY 2008 spending and the President has said he will veto other appropriations bills that exceed his overall budget total for FY 2008, or that contain policy provisions the Administration opposes. It appears it is Congress’s goal to have all 12 appropriations bills completed and signed by the President prior to Christmas, although it is possible that spending and policy differences between Congress and the White House could delay final action on some bills beyond that date.