House and Senate United in Passage of Continuing Resolution

Legislative Activity

Congress Approves CR

Last week, the House and Senate both approved a short-term FY 2015 Continuing Resolution (CR) (H.J. Res. 124) that will maintain federal discretionary spending through December 11. The measure also authorizes military action to train and equip Syrian rebels in their fight against the Islamic state (ISIS/ISIL).

The CR sustains federal program policy and funding at the FY 2014 level of $1.012 trillion (this includes a .06 percent across-the-board cut to maintain the spending cap). Additionally, the measure:

• Provides $88 million to address the Ebola outbreak;
• Provides funding to expedite disability claims process at the Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Extends the Export-Import Bank authorization through June 30, 2015;
• Reauthorizes the Internet Tax Freedom Act moratorium on state and local taxation of internet access through December 11;
• Extends Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through December 11; and
• Provides reprogramming flexibility to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address costs related to the recent border crisis.