Senate Passes Spending Extension - Sept. 25, 2012

In a midnight session on Sept. 22, the Senate approved the continuing resolution (CR) that would keep discretionary spending at current funding levels through March 27. Passed by a vote of 62-30, the CR eliminates the threat of a government shutdown, as the current fiscal year – and funding for the federal government – ends Sept. 30. The CR now heads to President Obama to be signed into law. Congress is now on an election recess until mid-November, at which point they will be faced with a number of expiring programs and policies. Congress will have to decide whether to let those programs expire or address them either by year-end or January 2013.