Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Measure

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have failed to pass a fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget on time, and have instead passed a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government at current FY 2016 levels through the Dec. 9 expiration date.

“This is a necessary bill that will keep the government open and operating, provide resources for our service members and veterans, and address critical needs across our country related to the Zika virus, the opioid epidemic, and the recent, disastrous floods,” said House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers.

The measure postpones proposals by the House and Senate that would reduce, at differing amounts, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) FY2017 budget. Last month, a Government Executive report stated the SSA "instituted a hiring freeze on most positions" and warned of furloughs and service problems with a budget reduction. SSA:

“Without adequate funding in 2017 and beyond, many Americans may wait longer to receive the benefits they have been planning to use during their retirement, and the most vulnerable of our citizens will have to wait even longer for disability claims decisions, causing more hardship and frustration for millions of families.”

The measure is expected to be signed by President Obama before the start of the government’s fiscal year this Saturday, Oct. 1.