Senate Sends FY 2017 Continuing Resolution to President

Last night the Senate in a modestly bipartisan vote approved the House amendment to HR 2028, the Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017. The final vote was 63 to 36. Thirteen Republicans voted against the bill.

This extends the current spending authority until April 28^th, 2017. The Trump administration and the 115^th Congress will have to work out the spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year.

It is interesting that a coalition of moderates in both houses of congress passed this bill. If the Republican leadership can withstand challenges from their less moderate wing, this may prove to be the model for getting things done in the 115^th Congress. Otherwise, the Republicans lack of a filibuster proof majority in the Senate will allow the Democrats to block most legislation.

House Passes HR 2028, FY 2017 Continuing Resolution

This afternoon the House approved an amendment to the Senate amendment to HR 2028. This new amendment is the vehicle for extending the current federal government spending rate until April 28^th, 2017. The Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017 passed by a bipartisan vote of 326 – 96. Even the no votes were relatively bipartisan with 33 Republicans voting no.

The Senate should take up this bill tomorrow in plenty of time to meet the midnight deadline for the end of the current continuing resolution.