After deciding to postpone consideration of 11 of the 13 FY2003 appropriations bill until the 108th Congress, the 107th Congress adjourned on November 22. The Senate approved, 92-2, a continuing resolution (H. J. Res. 124) on November 19 to fund government programs at FY2002 levels through January 11, 2003. The House passed the resolution on November 13. Only 2 of the 13 FY2003 appropriations bills have been enacted: defense and military construction.
H. J. Res. 124 also extends through January 11, the programs of the 1996 welfare reform law (P.L. 104-193) that were set to expire on December 31. The extension allows states to continue receiving federal funding at the FY2002 level for programs, including child care subsidies and cash assistance grants.
The 108th Congress is scheduled to convene on January 7, 2003.
