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Congress Clears Continuing Resolution

On September 18, the Senate approved, 78-22, a continuing resolution (CR) (H. J. Res. 124) to fund the federal government through December 11. The House passed the measure on September 17, by a vote of 319-108. President Obama is expected to sign the resolution into law, thus avoiding a government shutdown when the current fiscal year expires on September 30.

Neither the Senate nor House has completed work on the 12 spending bills: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 6/13/14); Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 6/6/14); Defense (see The Source, 7/18/14); Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government (see The Source, 7/18/14); Homeland Security; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 6/13/14); Legislative Branch (see The Source, 6/20/14); Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 5/23/14); State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (see The Source, 6/27/14, 6/20/14); and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (see The Source, 6/13/14).

The measure provides $1.012 trillion to keep the federal government running into December, at which time, Congress either would need to pass another CR to extend government funding, or enact the outstanding spending bills.

The legislation also contains language that would authorize the president to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight against the Islamic State.