The House is continuing to move forward with its appropriations process, writing and moving bills for the FY 2025 budget. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees will need to agree to and pass twelve funding bills, either separately or in a package together, on or before September 30th, or pass a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded. Although the House has set an aggressive schedule to get its bills done this summer and the Senate is continuing to negotiate topline numbers, it is highly unlikely that any agreements between the two chambers will be made until after the election.
On Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, the House passed its first appropriations bill, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, in a 209-197 vote mostly along party lines, with four Democrats joining Republicans to pass the bill. This bill is typically an easier bill to pass and usually has bipartisan support; however, this years’ bill includes very conservative policy riders, including some on abortion and gender-affirming care for veterans, that make it a much more partisan effort. This bill is likely dead on arrival in the Senate, and President Biden has already indicated that he would veto it if it were to somehow make it through to his desk.
The House Appropriations subcommittee also voted favorably to report the State/Foreign Operations spending bill to full committee; this bill has a 12% cut below FY2024. Other bills passed by voice vote in House Appropriations subcommittees were Defense, Homeland Security and Financial Services. The defense bill includes an increase one percent above fiscal year 2024, while the Financial Services funding bill is decreased by 10% and includes harmful policy riders on a range of topics including the IRS Free File program, abortion, and prohibition on implementing Executive Orders related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The House will continue subcommittee mark-ups this week with the Agriculture and Commerce, Justice and Science bills, where more cuts to important programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and juvenile justice programs.
In the Senate, Appropriations bills will need to pass with 60 votes, so bipartisan agreement will be necessary to move any of the bills. Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME) have not yet reached an agreement about topline numbers or subcommittee allocations, and it is unlikely that any bills be will introduced before the July 4th recess at least.
