ARCHIVES: WASHINGTON UPDATES FROM NPR . . .
MARCH 17, 2014
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees met to begin outlining the working calendar for tackling the twelve FY 2015 spending bills. They indicated that even in the absence of a formal agreement on overall spending ceilings, movement to begin the process will likely begin in May.
Perhaps somewhat optimistically, the Chairs suggest that floor action in the summer months is their plan. As always, the best outcome is approval of all the appropriations bills before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.
The December bipartisan budget agreement already set the caps for defense spending and domestic spending. Appropriations now need to determine the top-line allocations for each of the twelve appropriations bills.
It is unclear at this point which bills will be taken up first. Some key lawmakers, including Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), chair of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee) have signaled that the Labor-HHS spending bill, which contains CPB funding, will likely be one of the last to be addressed.
Bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letters will be circulating in March through the House and Senate to request support for public broadcasting funding.
Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees met to begin outlining the working calendar for tackling the twelve FY 2015 spending bills. They indicated that even in the absence of a formal agreement on overall spending ceilings, movement to begin the process will likely begin in May.
Perhaps somewhat optimistically, the Chairs suggest that floor action in the summer months is their plan. As always, the best outcome is approval of all the appropriations bills before the start of the new fiscal year on October 1.
The December bipartisan budget agreement already set the caps for defense spending and domestic spending. Appropriations now need to determine the top-line allocations for each of the twelve appropriations bills.
It is unclear at this point which bills will be taken up first. Some key lawmakers, including Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), chair of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee) have signaled that the Labor-HHS spending bill, which contains CPB funding, will likely be one of the last to be addressed.
Bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letters will be circulating in March through the House and Senate to request support for public broadcasting funding.
- CPB FULLY FUNDED IN OMNIBUS
January 21, 2014
Congress approved and the president signed the $1.012 trillion omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2014. The measure keeps the federal government funded until September 30 and preserves CPB's two-year advance at $445 million for FY16. Federal agencies and programs were also given some relief from sequestration this fiscal year and next as part of the budget deal struck last month by lawmakers.
All eyes now turn to the FY15 budget cycle. it is expected that the Administration will deliver their annual budget recommendation to Congress belatedly in March as has been done in previous years.
- BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
NOVEMBER 18, 2013
The current Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government expires January 15, 2014. With this deadline in mind, the Budget Conference Committee, comprised of seven House members and all 22 members of the Senate Budget Committee, met for its second public meeting last Wednesday. Its members continue working toward a compromise on FY14 discretionary spending levels and a possible re-think of sequestration. They have until December 15 (2013) to report their recommendations.
There is currently a $92 billion difference between the House and Senate budget resolutions for non-defense discretionary spending levels. The House budget plan is $414 billion, roughly 12% below current levels; the Senate budget plan is $506 billion, about 8% above current levels. If the budget conference committee strikes a deal, House and Senate appropriators have until January 15 to avoid another government shut-down by approving individual spending bills or packaging them together into an omnibus measure.
As in previous years, chances of an overall deal seem slim. The LHHS bill has only been enacted twice since FY02 as a stand-alone measure; its funding instead has usually come in a year-end omnibus spending bill package.
With the December 13 deadline fast approaching for the Budget Conference Committee, another CR seems a likely outcome. Discretionary funding under a CR would be set at the current level of about $986 billion. However, the second round of sequestration is scheduled to hit on January 15 (2014), decreasing FY14 discretionary spending to $967 billion.
- GOVERNMENT REOPENED (FOR NOW)
October 22, 2013
After a sixteen-day partial shutdown, the government has reopened following Congress' approval of a bipartisan deal to reopen and fund the federal government until January 15 and raise the nation's debt ceiling until February 7 (2014). The measure passed with a vote in the House (285-144) and in the Senate (81-18).
The deal also calls upon select members of the House and Senate to meet under a budget conference framework. Budget conferees, led by House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), have already begun discussions and will first need to decide how much FY 2014 discretionary spending to provide. The difference between the proposed House and Senate spending levels is approximately $91 billion. The budget conference report, due December 13, will establish a plan for spending allocations through the rest of the year once a continuing resolution funding the government ends on January 15. The second round of automatic, across-the-board cuts under sequestration are to begin at that point unless Congress changes the law.
January 21, 2014
Congress approved and the president signed the $1.012 trillion omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2014. The measure keeps the federal government funded until September 30 and preserves CPB's two-year advance at $445 million for FY16. Federal agencies and programs were also given some relief from sequestration this fiscal year and next as part of the budget deal struck last month by lawmakers.
All eyes now turn to the FY15 budget cycle. it is expected that the Administration will deliver their annual budget recommendation to Congress belatedly in March as has been done in previous years.
- BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE
NOVEMBER 18, 2013
The current Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government expires January 15, 2014. With this deadline in mind, the Budget Conference Committee, comprised of seven House members and all 22 members of the Senate Budget Committee, met for its second public meeting last Wednesday. Its members continue working toward a compromise on FY14 discretionary spending levels and a possible re-think of sequestration. They have until December 15 (2013) to report their recommendations.
There is currently a $92 billion difference between the House and Senate budget resolutions for non-defense discretionary spending levels. The House budget plan is $414 billion, roughly 12% below current levels; the Senate budget plan is $506 billion, about 8% above current levels. If the budget conference committee strikes a deal, House and Senate appropriators have until January 15 to avoid another government shut-down by approving individual spending bills or packaging them together into an omnibus measure.
As in previous years, chances of an overall deal seem slim. The LHHS bill has only been enacted twice since FY02 as a stand-alone measure; its funding instead has usually come in a year-end omnibus spending bill package.
With the December 13 deadline fast approaching for the Budget Conference Committee, another CR seems a likely outcome. Discretionary funding under a CR would be set at the current level of about $986 billion. However, the second round of sequestration is scheduled to hit on January 15 (2014), decreasing FY14 discretionary spending to $967 billion.
- GOVERNMENT REOPENED (FOR NOW)
October 22, 2013
After a sixteen-day partial shutdown, the government has reopened following Congress' approval of a bipartisan deal to reopen and fund the federal government until January 15 and raise the nation's debt ceiling until February 7 (2014). The measure passed with a vote in the House (285-144) and in the Senate (81-18).
The deal also calls upon select members of the House and Senate to meet under a budget conference framework. Budget conferees, led by House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), have already begun discussions and will first need to decide how much FY 2014 discretionary spending to provide. The difference between the proposed House and Senate spending levels is approximately $91 billion. The budget conference report, due December 13, will establish a plan for spending allocations through the rest of the year once a continuing resolution funding the government ends on January 15. The second round of automatic, across-the-board cuts under sequestration are to begin at that point unless Congress changes the law.
- THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
October 8, 2013
The House and Senate remain at an impasse and much of the federal government remains closed. However, the U.S. Treasury transferred $445 million to CPB at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Under the two-year advance, Congress approved the FY 2014 funds during the FY2012 budget cycle and CPB's doors remain open for business.
October 8, 2013
The House and Senate remain at an impasse and much of the federal government remains closed. However, the U.S. Treasury transferred $445 million to CPB at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Under the two-year advance, Congress approved the FY 2014 funds during the FY2012 budget cycle and CPB's doors remain open for business.
- GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN
September 23, 2013
The House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) on Friday to keep the government operating at current funding levels through mid-December and to defund the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). The measure is now with the Senate, which may vote this week to strip the CR of the Affordable Care Act provision and send a "clean" CR back to the House before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. At this point and as we head closer to a possible government shutdown, it is unclear how the house will respond to the Senate's potential actions. In the meantime, the Administration plans to host a meeting with congressional leaders later this week.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting is expecting to receive $445 million from the U.S. Treasury on October 1, whether or not the federal government shuts down. The funds for FY 2014 were approved by Congress two years ago and because CPB is a private non-profit entity and not a federal agency, it will remain open throughout a shutdown scenario.
Stations should be on the lookout this month for a memo from CPB explaining the funding situation, particularly as it relates to the pending second round of sequestration. Like last year, CPB may reserve a percentage of its funds to plan for sequestration. Unless and until Congress changes current law, January 2014 will mark the next round of across-the-board spending cuts established under the Budget Control Act of 2011.
September 23, 2013
The House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) on Friday to keep the government operating at current funding levels through mid-December and to defund the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare"). The measure is now with the Senate, which may vote this week to strip the CR of the Affordable Care Act provision and send a "clean" CR back to the House before the end of the fiscal year on September 30. At this point and as we head closer to a possible government shutdown, it is unclear how the house will respond to the Senate's potential actions. In the meantime, the Administration plans to host a meeting with congressional leaders later this week.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting is expecting to receive $445 million from the U.S. Treasury on October 1, whether or not the federal government shuts down. The funds for FY 2014 were approved by Congress two years ago and because CPB is a private non-profit entity and not a federal agency, it will remain open throughout a shutdown scenario.
Stations should be on the lookout this month for a memo from CPB explaining the funding situation, particularly as it relates to the pending second round of sequestration. Like last year, CPB may reserve a percentage of its funds to plan for sequestration. Unless and until Congress changes current law, January 2014 will mark the next round of across-the-board spending cuts established under the Budget Control Act of 2011.
- COMMUNITY VOICE INITIATIVE
September 11, 2013
"Make your efforts local and make them personal," were words of advice from Bill Frist, the former Republican Senator from TN and former Senate Majority Leader, during a conversation to discuss how to best present the role of public radio and NPR to Congress. The Senator's suggestion is a perfect reflection of efforts that have been taken to connect the federal investment in local services supported by local voices.
The "Community Voice Initiative" is the centerpiece of NPR's advocacy this year. It is built on constructing local advocacy from the base up. Priority activities are constructed around identifying and enabling both local community leaders and coalitions to sharpen the case for local stations and federal funding.
The "Community Voice Initiative" is the centerpiece of NPR's advocacy this year. It is built on constructing local advocacy from the base up. Priority activities are constructed around identifying and enabling both local community leaders and coalitions to sharpen the case for local stations and federal funding.
- EMERGENCY INFORMATION IMPROVEMENT ACT
July 23, 2013
Good news on equipment replacement assistance. Two U.S. Representatives, Brian Higgins (D of Buffalo New York) and Steve Palazzo (R from Biloxi, Mississippi) have introduced the H.R. 2467, Emergency Information Improvement Act which will make stations eligible recipients to secure federal financial disaster relief in the future.
Every hurricane, tornado, flood, ice-storm and wildfire needs immediate response efforts, local relief supplies, evacuation orders and emergency routes as well as on-the-ground report. Passage of this legislation will help make certain that these essential services remain available when needed.
For facts about the legislation, download the attached file.
July 23, 2013
Good news on equipment replacement assistance. Two U.S. Representatives, Brian Higgins (D of Buffalo New York) and Steve Palazzo (R from Biloxi, Mississippi) have introduced the H.R. 2467, Emergency Information Improvement Act which will make stations eligible recipients to secure federal financial disaster relief in the future.
Every hurricane, tornado, flood, ice-storm and wildfire needs immediate response efforts, local relief supplies, evacuation orders and emergency routes as well as on-the-ground report. Passage of this legislation will help make certain that these essential services remain available when needed.
For facts about the legislation, download the attached file.
| higgins_qa.docx |
- SENATE APPROVES LEVEL FUNDING FOR CPB
July 23, 2013
Positive news for federal funding, too: the Senate approved level funding of $445 million for CPB in FY 2016. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2014 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill which contains level funding for CPB. The House LLHS Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled tomarksup its FY 2014 LHHS bill soon. It remains unlikely that the House and Senate will resolve differences between their respective bills. A continuing resolution will need to be approved before the start of the new fiscal year beginning on October 1.
July 23, 2013
Positive news for federal funding, too: the Senate approved level funding of $445 million for CPB in FY 2016. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2014 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill which contains level funding for CPB. The House LLHS Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled tomarksup its FY 2014 LHHS bill soon. It remains unlikely that the House and Senate will resolve differences between their respective bills. A continuing resolution will need to be approved before the start of the new fiscal year beginning on October 1.