This week, the Senate returned to action and will be entering a busy four-week stretch that will see a focus on FY 2017 appropriations measures and continued negotiations over moving energy reform legislation and an aid package for Flint, Michigan.
Although both houses are unlikely to adopt a budget resolution by the required April 15th deadline, Congressional appropriators are due to get their spending bill allocations by the middle of this month – however, they already know they won't be getting much more money than last year. The Senate has agreed to follow the overall discretionary level of $1.07 trillion for fiscal 2017 set by last year's budget deal, which would be a $3 billion increase over current spending. The modest increase all but guarantees that most departments and agencies will be flat-funded for the coming year. Markups have not been scheduled for any of the spending bills, but the markups could come quickly after subcommittees receive their individual allocations. Senate GOP leaders have expressed hope to spend May, June, and July, moving individual spending bills for the first time in years. For now, Senate Democrats are open to the GOP plan, but, similar to previous years, partisan policy riders could scuttle progress.
The House returns from its spring break recess next Tuesday, April 12, 2016.