|
Incoming Democratic congressional leaders announced that they expect to fund most federal programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, which began on October 1, 2006, through a long-term stopgap spending measure called a continuing resolution (CR). They plan to shore up funding gaps within budget limits set by the outgoing Republican-led Congress. Democratic leaders also pledged to exclude earmarks in the FY 2007 federal funding bills.
The outgoing Republican-led Congress failed to pass most of the 2007 funding bills before adjourning in mid-December. Therefore, most federal programs have been funded through short term funding measures. The CR that is currently in place will expire on February 15, 2007. This resolution funds most programs at levels equal to or lower than 2006 levels. Special Education is funded at the same level as last year - $11.65 billion ($10.58 billion of this is for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Given the tight budget constraints, most programs are not expected to receive more than they receive under the current continuing resolution. Legislative priorities that were already slated to receive large increases, like veterans health care, will likely receive the limited number of increases. If the Democratic leadership keeps its promise to exclude earmarks from the joint funding proposal, the Administration may have greater flexibility in determining which specific projects ultimately receive the limited funds. For further information, please contact Elizabeth Mundinger, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, by e-mail at emundinger@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 4473.
|