Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (February 17 – 21).   HOUSE and SENATE The House and Senate were in recess this week. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will hold two hearings next week: an Executive Session on February 26 to vote on several pending nominations, including Portia Y. Wu […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (February 10 – 14).   BUDGET While the President’s FY2015 budget request is still expected to be released on March 4 as previously indicated, the White House is now saying that some of the budget data, including historical tables and Analytical Perspectives, will not be available until March 11. HOUSE […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (February 3 – 7).   BUDGET A budget estimate released by the Congressional Budget Office last week projects that the Pell Grant program is not anticipated to have a shortfall in FY2015. However, shortfalls are projected for FY2016 and beyond. HOUSE The House of Representatives passed H.R. 357, […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (January 27 – 31).  BUDGET The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirmed that the 2014 Omnibus conformed to caps on discretionary spending and no OMB-initiated sequestration cuts to 2014 funding will take place. HOUSE and SENATE House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) released principles to guide an overhaul of […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (January 20 – 24).  BUDGET The Office of Management and Budget announced that President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget request will be released on March 4, 2014. On January 17, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76), which includes all 12 separate appropriations […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (January 13 –  17).  BUDGET The House and Senate passed an FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill last week sending the measure to President Obama for signature. The bill includes all 12 separate appropriations bills, including Labor, Health and Human Services and Education programs. The bill […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (January 6 –  10).   BUDGET Work on a $1 trillion, 12-part omnibus budget package continued last week. House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-KY) said that 8 of the 12 parts of the omnibus are done, but Congress will need to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to allow […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (December 30 – January 3).   BUDGET Press reports say that a $1 trillion, 12-part omnibus budget package will be released this week and will be considered by the House. Appropriations staff worked on the legislation over the holiday break. This omnibus package was made possible after […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (December 16 – 20).  BUDGET The budget deal worked out by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) passed the House by a vote of 332-94, and passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 64-36. Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski; her […]

Here’s a quick look at the news from last week (December 9– 13).  BUDGET The budget deal worked out by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA) passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 332-94. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that the Senate will take up the agreement on Tuesday, December 17. The agreement provides […]