04 May 2017 Senate clears FY2017 government funding bill The Senate on May 4, 2017, approved the FY2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 244), extending government funding through September 30. The vote was 79-18 on the measure that passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote May 3, meaning it now goes to President Trump for his signature. The $1.1 trillion spending measure, encompassing 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, included victories for both parties. Republicans secured a $15 billion increase in defense spending and increased border security funding but not for the border wall sought by President Trump. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) celebrated blocking the border wall funding and other "poison pill" riders, and securing non-defense increases in spending. The bill would provide permanent health benefits to coal miners and their families and an additional $600 million for fighting the opioid epidemic, which were priorities of some in both parties. The House could soon begin work on an FY2018 budget resolution, which is expected to include reconciliation instructions that would allow tax reform legislation meeting certain requirements to pass the Senate with 51 votes rather than the 60-vote threshold for overcoming a filibuster.
Document ID: 2017-0742 | |||||