Appropriations Process Delayed Until After August Recess

The House of Representatives moved forward with its annual appropriations process in the months leading up to the August recess, but the Senate waited until a budget and spending cap deal was struck and signed by the President. Although waiting until after the August recess to begin working on spending bills isn’t too uncommon, the Senate will have to work fast when members return in September to avoid a government shutdown.

Specifically, the appropriations bill will be a point of contention before the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee, as the Senate will likely struggle to find ways to cut down some of the funding included in the House version of the legislation.

Once a Senate bill is finalized, the legislation will head to a conference committee of members of both chambers who will sort out spending differences between the two versions. NBCC will be working to ensure that the Minority Fellowship Program, the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, and other programs see increases and are not considered for cuts during this process.