Federal Times | By SEAN REILLY | Last Updated:November 17, 2011
Congress has given final approval to a deal setting 2012 budgets
for five Cabinet-level departments, as well as NASA and a number of smaller
agencies. The measure also would extend short-term funding for other agencies
until Dec. 16 at close to last year's levels. The bill passed the House 298-121
on Thursday, followed by the Senate on a 70-30 vote. An existing continuing
resolution (CR) expires at midnight Friday, meaning President Obama must sign
the new measure before then to avert a partial government shutdown. [update: Pres. Obama signed the budget on Friday.]
Besides
NASA, the $128 billion bill covers the Agriculture, Commerce, Justice,
Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments.
The
2012 legislation marks the first time that Congress has approved an annual
appropriations bill — as opposed to a CR — since late 2009. In the debate
preceding Thursday's House vote, top lawmakers voiced hope that Congress could
approve all remaining 2012 spending legislation by next month. The 2012 fiscal
year began in October.
For
many programs, the new bill would cut spending from last year's levels,
according to the House Appropriations Committee. The bill also ends funding for
some 20 programs, with a total savings of $456 million, the committee's
chairman, Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., said Thursday. [See a partial list of eliminated programs and more info here.]
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