House Begins Debate on FY 2011 Continuing Resolution - February 16, 2011

The US House of Representatives today began debate on a bill to fund the federal government through the rest of the fiscal year. The current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires on March 4. The bill coming to the floor includes more than $100 billion in cuts to domestic discretionary programs. The cuts are expected to become larger as the floor debate continues and amendments to cut more spending are adopted. House leadership hopes to pass the bill on Thursday. The Senate will take up the CR after the House bill is passed and is expected to make much smaller cuts, setting the stage for a budget battle in early March. It is likely that Congress will have to resort to another short-term CR to allow time for bicameral discussions.