National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

Last week, Congress again postponed action on the Supplemental Appropriations Bill to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once more, the House is expected to act on the bill this week, and perhaps the Senate too. The Senate is also expected to consider the Fiscal Year Defense Authorization bill -- as early as this week but possibly not until after the 4th of July recess. The House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee will mark up the funding bill that includes nuclear weapons work and non-proliferation funding.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee has scheduled its mark-up or writing of this bill for June 17. The full House Appropriations Committee mark-up is scheduled for June 24.

FISCAL YEAR 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION BILL

The Supplemental bill will now be considered by the House for approval, rejection or modification of the Senate-passed measure, before going to the President for signature or a veto. One possible outcome is that the House will now pass the war funding, the GI education bill, and not much else, and the Senate will agree to the House-passed version. However, Senate Democrats are pushing to include in the bill other provisions, including a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance benefits. Reminder: there will be no House-Senate conference on this bill.