On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed the remaining eight appropriations bills, completing all 12 appropriation bills through the House. These measures attempt to provide funding for the 2018 Fiscal Year for a variety of federal programs and departments.
The House’s effort was of limited value as the U.S. Senate will not be able to pass appropriations bills at the reduced funding levels. Earlier in the week, President Trump reached an agreement with Democratic leaders to pass a Continuing Resolution and raise the debt limit until December 8, 2017. Thus, Senate appropriators are now talking in earnest about raising the budget caps imposed by previous fiscal agreements – ideally more than one year – with some members openly talking about removing the caps all together. It is expected that leaders in both chambers will reach an agreement on a new funding level in October, and negotiations on “new” appropriations bills and funding levels will take place in October and November, leading to an Omnibus appropriations package in December.