House and Senate Expected to Move Temporary Funding Bill, Little Else Before Breaking for Campaign Stretch

September 9, 2014

Following a five-week summer recess, the Congress returned to Washington yesterday for a short work period with adjournment in both houses expected no later than September 23. The congressional agenda will be limited to a temporary spending bill and, with control of the Senate to be decided in November, a number of political messaging bills important to House and Senate leaders but with little chance of consideration in the other chamber. The temporary spending bill, or continuing resolution (CR), is the only time sensitive, must-do item, as the 2015 Fiscal Year begins on October 1. Adoption of a CR is necessary to fund programs beyond September since Congress has not enacted any of the 12 annual appropriations bills. 

Unlike many recent CRs, this measure will not likely be the subject of much drama. With the President’s announcement over the weekend that he would not administratively address immigration before the elections, the lessons of last Fall’s partial government shutdown fresh in mind, and incumbents’ eagerness to return to the campaign trail, the CR as introduced in the House today will likely move quickly and stay relatively free from controversial riders. It continues funding for government operations at current levels without many spending anomalies or policy riders. The CR funds government through the elections to December 11, leaving final decisions on FY15 to be made in a lame duck work period – or later, depending on the outcome of the midterms. While passage is nearly assured, it may be amended to include other provisions that could come to be viewed as “must-do,” such as continuation of the Export-Import Bank’s authority or potentially some supplemental funding for border issues or efforts to address overseas terrorist activities.

The scope, shape and length of the lame duck session will be mostly determined by the outcome of the midterm elections. If Republicans win control of the Senate, we are likely to see a very short lame duck and a second CR funding government into the New Year and new Congress, where the GOP will have more influence over FY15 and other pending legislation. If Democrats maintain control, the greater the chance for consideration of a package or packages of FY15 appropriations bills and possibly other legislative items awaiting action.

With so many funding decisions yet to be made and a challenging calendar, advocacy remains critically important. Reaching policymakers, both in Washington and in their districts, is a focus of several new interactive tools. One example, released just today by United for Medical Research – a coalition co-founded by Harvard and consisting of universities, patient groups and companies – highlights the reach and impact of NIH dollars across all 50 states.

We will continue to provide updates as Congress moves quickly through this brief session. Please do not hesitate to contact Suzanne Day or Jon Groteboer in the Office of Federal Relations with any questions, (202) 863-1292.