Budget and Appropriations

Multiple sources say that appropriators are discussing a continuing resolution (CR) extension that would last through late March.  There are even reports that the House could vote as soon as Tuesday on the CR.  Congress must extend funding again before the February 8 deadline of the current CR and reach a deal to raise the spending caps before the appropriations process can be finalized (unless they opt instead to pass a year-long CR).

This new date would give Congress six additional weeks to finalize appropriations—if they were able to agree on a budget deal to increase the spending caps well before then. Lawmakers are reportedly mulling several paths to a two-year budget deal.  The most recent proposal includes a roughly $80 billion increase for military spending while the domestic side would get an increase of around $63 billion.