Congress Starts Appropriations Process

L . Thomas Block
Key Takeaways
  • The process for determining funding for the federal government in fiscal year 2025 has begun.
  • House Republicans began with the normally non-controversial bill to fund Military Construction and Veteran Affairs.
  • However, their attempt to use budget bills including this one to advance the general conservative agenda foreshadows difficulties ahead in getting the government funded by the October 1, 2024 deadline.

This week, the Congress started the process of passing 12 spending bills to fund the government for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2024.

The House began by taking up one of the least controversial spending bills – Military Construction and Veteran Affairs.  Usually, this budget bill, which provides military construction money for districts across the country and funds the VA, has broad bipartisan support – but not this year.  The vote on final passage was 209 Yes to 197 No.  Although all but two Republicans support the bill, as of this writing, only four Democrats have joined them. 

Why would Democrats vote No?  The House Republicans made clear that in this election year they will use the annual spending bills to send conservative messages to their base.  In the Military Construction and VA bill, provisions that were included ranged from restrictions on abortions at VA facilities to a prohibition on flying the Pride flag.  The Chair of the House Appropriations Committee made clear that this was only the opening bid in the process.

This first House spending bill demonstrates the challenge Congress will have in getting the government funded by the October 1 deadline.  The legislation has no chance of passing the Democratic-controlled Senate with any of these added amendments, and it demonstrates the likelihood that the government will be funded via a Continuing Resolution (CR) before the Congress breaks for the elections sometime in September.

Disclosures (show)