The 108th congress adjourned after completing only 4 of the 13 spending bills for FY 2005. Did they pass a measure to authorize funding at 2004 levels until they can finish their work come november, or did they do something different this year? If so, what?
I’m not going to bother to look. I feel certain there’s been a continuing resolution to the effect of ‘Just keep going at last years levels…we’ll get back to you.’ Happens most every year these days. If there had been a big budget dust up we’d have heard about it during an election year.
I did look, and didn’t find it. Usually the annual event at least breaks the surface of the news. So when did they pass it?
My projects (DoD) have been funded by some of the spending bills already passed. That means that some of the money I need for FY05 is available.
The last couple years, appropriations weren’t completed until much later, and continuing resolutions were passed to keep the government running (day to day things like salaries and travel). So this year is better than the last couple, probably due to it being an election year, and no one wants to cause a budget crisis a month before elections.
H.J.Res. 107, signed into law on September 30, continues appropiations at the Fiscal Year 2004 levels until November 30. Congress will reconvene after the election for a lame duck session to attempt to finalize the budget.
It’s called a CR, or continuing resolution. It means federal agencies may continue to operate based upon the previous fiscal year’s appropriation. However, the agencies can only spend on essential services to keep the agency open. Typically that means ultilities, salaries and associated necessities. In some cases, paying overtime is not allowed under a CR so staff may only work no more than eight hours a day and/or 40 hours in a week.
Hahaha…we’re talking federal employees, here… snort
They’re lucky if they get the eight hours out of us.
