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Congress works through spending bills, budget
Story Date: 3/20/2013
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Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 3/19/13
Barring prolonged disagreement by the Senate on several amendments, Congress is expected to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) in the coming days to prevent a government shutdown. The House has already passed a CR, but because the Senate's version is different, the House will have to take that bill up too. Timing for the Senate is key, as government funding from the CR passed last Fall expires on March 27, just over one week away.
Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) offered up an amendment that would prevent "essential" federal employees, from food inspectors to border security agents, to be furloughed during sequestration. The amendment was objected but Sen. Blunt promised in a press release to introduce the language as a stand-alone bill.
In a completely separate amendment, Sens. Blunt and Pryor (D-AR) introduced an amendment to the CR that would specifically eliminate the need for sequester-related furloughs to federal meat inspectors employed by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
In addition to the CR, both houses of Congress are expected to bring their budget plans to the floor soon, with the House predicted to pass its budget by Friday. The President's budget was due on February 4, but sources say it will not be submitted until early April. The Senate's Budget proposal is being headed up by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) while Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is back with another budget for the House.
For more resources on appropriations and budget related issues, please visit www.nasda.org/budget.
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