Article

Advocacy Updates

Update on Fiscal Year 2003 Funding
Another continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the government running at FY 2002 spending levels through Nov. 22 was passed on Oct. 16. House Joint Resolution (H Res) 123 was passed by the House by a vote of 228-172, and cleared by the Senate by voice vote that same evening. Members of the House and Senate have returned to their home districts to campaign and prepare for the Nov. 5 election.

The only programs not covered by the CR include appropriations bills for defense and military construction, which President Bush will be signing into law shortly. All other federal government programs are included in the current continuing resolution.

Lame Duck Session Set
Members of Congress will be returning for the first of two possible lame-duck sessions Nov. 12 -14. Lame-duck sessions are those held during the period after the November election up to when the new Congress begins. A second lame-duck session is also likely in December, depending on the outcome of the elections and whether the two chambers can arrive at a compromise on the remaining fiscal year 2003 appropriation bills.

Some activities currently scheduled to occur during the lame-duck session include freshman orientation for new members and leadership elections. It is also expected that Congress will try to resolve differences between some of the appropriations bills. However, controversial bills such as the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill and the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill may be more difficult to negotiate. It is possible that Congress will pass another continuing resolution during the lame duck session or will pass an omnibus FY 2003 bill, which would combine all the unfinished spending bills.

Updates on Congressional activity during the lame-duck sessions will be available on our website at http://www.globalhealth.org

Back to Top