After returning from August recess on Sept. 9, Congress will have three weeks to pass 12 appropriations bills or a continuing resolution before government funding runs out on Sept. 30. Last month, both chambers of Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 which raises the caps for discretionary spending for two years, provides funding for the Census, and suspends the debt limit until July 31, 2021. This legislation also ends sequestration on discretionary spending permanently. The passage of this budget deals sets the stage for the ongoing appropriations process.

The House of Representatives has passed 10 appropriations bills including the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill which provides funding for the CDC. The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to pass any appropriations bills and will spend September holding markups. As the process continues, NACDD will continue to work with members of Congress to address our funding requests.