Yesterday, Congressional negotiators released the details of a stopgap “continuing resolution” (CR) to fund the federal government through April 28 while maintaining current spending levels.
The measure includes $170 million in aid to address the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan, $872 million in funding for the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act expected to pass the Senate this week, and more than $10 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Departments of State and Defense.
The CR also reinstates a controversial provision from Fiscal Year 2016 that prevents the Internal Revenue Service from issuing new guidance about what constitutes political activity by 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations and provision for an expedited process for the Senate to confirm President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, who otherwise would be barred from confirmation because he has not been retired from his military post for at least seven years.
The House is expected to pass the bill Thursday, allowing the Senate to take up the measure before the current CR expires on Friday, December 9.
