Shutdowns harm small business. Follow NSBA as we track the progress of this funding legislation through consideration in the Senate and signature into law.
This week, the House of Representatives passed a compromise appropriations “minibus” bill 339-85, which will keep parts of the government funded through the remainder of fiscal year 2024.
This bipartisan, bicameral package encompasses six appropriations bills:
Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies;
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies;
Energy and Water Development;
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies;
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
Both Democrats and Republicans have found things to celebrate in the compromise, with House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Tex.) announcing the package allows them to, “…achieve what we set out to do: strategically increase defense spending and make targeted cuts to wasteful non-defense programs.”
Her Senate counterpart, Senator Patty Murray (D-Wa.) specifically highlighted funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and went on to say: “Democrats fought hard to protect investments that matter to working people everywhere and help keep our economy strong—rejecting devastating cuts to housing, nutrition assistance, and more.”
Now that the House has passed the package, it moves to the Senate for speedy consideration before funding for the covered agencies expires on Friday, March 8th.
Unfortunately, as it was designed to follow the funding deadlines of the bifurcated Continuing Resolutions (CRs) that have been used to avert shutdowns since last year, this roughly $470 billion compromise only funds part of the government.
Many federal agencies—including the Small Business Administration (SBA)—will have to wait at least until the House returns next week to see their funding continued using a separate legislative vehicle.
NSBA is carefully monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as they become available.
