Before departing Washington on September 18 the House and Senate approved a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund federal departments and agencies – including EPA – at their current FY14 levels through December 11. The move avoids a federal government shutdown that would otherwise occur at the onset of the new fiscal year on October 1 because Congress has yet to enact any of the twelve FY15 appropriations bills.
Lawmakers largely avoided controversy when drafting the CR by maintaining level funding for most federal programs and keeping controversial policy provisions off the legislation. But among the provisions that did make it onto the bill was language to extend the DHS CFATS program (and the water/wastewater exemption) for the length of the CR, to extend the Export-Import Bank through next summer, to provide NOAA funding flexibility to continue its weather satellite programs, and to direct funding to fight the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The bill also fulfilled President Obama’s request to authorize the training and equipping of moderate Syrian rebels.
When Congress returns to Washington in November lawmakers are expected to consider a large omnibus appropriations bill to provide funding for the remainder of FY15.