House and Senate Move Forward with Appropriations, But Final Bills Not Expected Until after Mid-Terms

Both the House and Senate are voting on fiscal year (FY) 2019 appropriations bills, and may bring their respective Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bills to the floor for a vote this month. Final passage of FY 2019 spending legislation is not expected until after November’s mid-term elections, however, with Congress likely to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to fund the government once the current fiscal year ends on September 30. Depending on the election outcome, spending bill negotiations could wrap up during the lame-duck session at the end of the year or go into the next Congress. For more information on funding levels in the House and Senate FY 2019 bills, see Enterprise’s budget and appropriations chart.