House Approves Two New Continuing Resolutions, Highway Spending Increased, FY 2003 Strategy Revealed -- California Capitol Hill Bulletin -- Volume 10, Bulletin 1 -- January 9, 2003

By voice vote on January 8, 2003 the House cleared two separate continuing resolutions, H.J. Res 1 and H.J. Res 2. The first is a stop-gap measure keeping the government in operation until January 31, 2002; the other is intended to serve as the vehicle for consolidating the eleven remaining fiscal year 2003 appropriations bills.

Five preceding continuing resolutions kept federal programs operating at FY 2002 funding levels after Congress failed to agree on spending for all but two federal appropriations bills last session.

Aside from some changes, H.J. Res 1 sustains the funding stop-gap through the end of January, extending the prior CR which was set to expire on January 11. One of the most significant changes to H.J. Res 1 is the deletion of a spending cap on federal highway programs. FY 2002 highway is funding set at $31.8 billion, rather than the previously capped rate of $27.7 billion. The $4 billion cap had been imposed due to a shortfall in expected highway-user revenue and the faltering economy, and it was lifted after the Office of Management and Budget agreed that the Administration could indeed fund programs at the higher rate, at least until January 31st.

On Thursday, January 9, the Senate passed H.J. Res 1.

H.J. Res 2 is expected to be used to pass additional 2003 appropriations measures in the future. House and Senate Republicans have already agreed on informal spending levels complying with President Bush's request to cap discretionary spending at $750.5 billion. According to some reports, the House may allow the Senate to fold all 11 unfinished appropriations bills into a single omnibus measure.

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