On December 1, the House of Representatives approved a second resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the federal government through December 18. The Senate passed the measure on December 3. The previous CR was set to expire December 3. Congress has yet to complete any work on the 12 annual appropriations measures for FY2011.

Congress has limited options for completing the FY 2011 spending bills. It can approve an omnibus, pass a year-long CR that maintains funding at their current FY2010 levels, or pass a shorter term CR that would defer spending decisions until the 112th Congress convenes in January. GOP leaders have advocated for delaying approval of the spending measures until they officially take control of the House next year.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) is said to be developing a $1.1 trillion omnibus appropriations measure that would include all 12 of the unfinished appropriations bills. However, it is unclear if he would be able to obtain the votes necessary to accomplish such a task.

For more information, MHI members can contact Jason Boehlert at (703) 558-0660 or jboehlert@mfghome.org.