On December 8, the House of Representatives approved a full-year continuing funding resolution (H.R. 3082) that will fund government programs through the remainder of FY2011. The $1.08 trillion bill freezes FY2011 discretionary spending at the FY2010 level. The measure now awaits approval by the Senate.

It is unclear if the Senate will approve the measure. Some Senate Republicans have voiced strong opposition to a year long funding measure, instead preferring a short-term continuing funding resolution through January, which would allow a new Republican-controlled House to control a portion of the spending decisions.

In addition, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) is said to be preparing a larger FY2011 omnibus package that would contain more than $1.1 billion in spending or roughly $18 billion more than the House bill.

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