House Approves Six-Month Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2013

Press Release

On Thursday, the House voted to approve a short-term continuing resolution that would fund government agencies and programs for the first six months of FY2013 at funding levels set by last year's Budget Control Act.

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) voted for the measure.

"I hoped that the Appropriations process would work as it has in the past, producing a long-term funding bill and providing our government agencies with stability and peace of mind. However, this six-month continuing resolution represents a bipartisan agreement between Congressional Republicans, Congressional Democrats, and the White House. Most importantly, it ensures that our government will continue to operate and provide vital services, including FEMA disaster relief, veterans benefits, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families," said Hanabusa.

The CR includes an across-the-board increase in current funding by 0.6% for most federal programs and agencies, and provides higher specific funding levels for a number of programs and activities, such as cybersecurity and wildfire suppression. It also continues important services like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which helps support many working families, and provides funding to support Small Business Administration loan guarantees.

The measure continues funding for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, which provides aid and resources after disasters, and caps funding for ongoing overseas military operations at the President's requested FY2013 funding level.

Departments and agencies, including the White House and the Judiciary, also must develop and submit to Congress operating plans detailing how funds will be spent during the six-month CR, and submit revised plans if a sequestration of discretionary spending does occur in January.

The bill passed by a vote of 329 to 91 and the Senate is expected to consider it next week.

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