Senate Begins Consideration of FY19 Defense and Labor HHS Education Appropriations Bill

The Senate kicked off debate on the FY19 Defense and Labor HHS Education Appropriations minibus bill this week, and will resume consideration of the measure next week. The two bills combined make up about 63% of total discretionary spending for FY19. The Senate used the House-passed FY19 Defense spending bill (H.R. 6157) as the vehicle for their minibus.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) predicts that the Senate will clear the package by Labor Day, and possibly as early as next Friday. The first two amendment votes are lined up for Monday evening. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has requested that senators limit their amendments so that it doesn’t become a “free-for-all” on policy issues. So far this year, the Senate has been able to avoid partisan policy riders. The Labor HHS portion of this minibus, however, could be a magnet for amendments on abortion restrictions, health care coverage, worker protections, and education policy.

Earlier this week, the White House issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP). In addition to disagreeing with the overall funding level for the Labor HHS portion of the bill, the SAP objects to certain funding provisions in the bill such as funding a second Littoral Combat Ship, elimination of launch funding for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, and reductions in funding for the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, Security Cooperation Fund, the National Background Investigation System, and the Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Train and Equip Fund.

White House Statement of Administration Policy

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/saphr6157s_20180815.pdf

On a related note, the White House may be considering another rescissions package. It has been reported the OMB Director Mick Mulvaney has already begun moving ahead on the effort.

FY2019 Appropriations Bills Status