This week, the Senate began debate on an omnibus appropriations package (H. J. Res. 2) that was attached to a continuing resolution (H. J. Res. 2) passed by the House on January 8 (see The Source, 1/10/03). To date, only 2 of the 13 FY2003 appropriations bills have been enacted: defense and military construction. H. J. Res. 2 would provide $390 billion in discretionary spending for the remaining 11 appropriations bills in FY2003. While the Senate pressed to complete work on the measure this week, debate on a number of amendments will force consideration of the package to continue on January 21.
On January 16, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) offered an amendment that would have provided an additional $6 billion for education funding. The amendment was defeated, 46-51. However, another amendment, offered by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), that would provide $5 billion in grants to local school districts was approved, 52-45. In approving the Gregg amendment, lawmakers also approved a corresponding $5 billion across-the-board cut to all programs funded under the omnibus bill.
A more detailed analysis of the bill will be available next week. The following contains the overall funding figures for several agencies with programs affecting women and their families.
Agriculture: In FY2003, H. J. Res. 2 would provide $17.4 billion in discretionary funding for agricultural programs. Congress allocated $16 billion in discretionary funding in FY2002.
Commerce-Justice-State: H. J. Res. 2 would provide $47 billion to fund the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments in FY2003. In FY2002, Congress allocated $41.6 billion for these departments.
District of Columbia: The bill would provide $512 million in FY2003 for the District of Columbia, $144 million more than the President’s request. Congress provided $517 million in FY2002.
Foreign Operations: H. J. Res. 2 would provide $16.3 billion in discretionary spending, roughly the same amount provided in FY2002.
Labor-Health and Human Services-Education: The Senate approved $131.4 billion in discretionary spending for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education in FY2003. Congress allocated $127.6 billion in discretionary funding for these departments in FY2002.
Treasury-Postal: In FY2003, H. J. Res. 2 would provide $18.2 billion in discretionary spending for the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government appropriations bill. Congress allocated $18.55 billion in FY2002.
VA-HUD: The Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments would receive $90.4 billion in discretionary spending in FY2003. The President requested $92.4 billion for these departments in FY2003 while Congress allocated $95.41 billion in FY2002.
