House Readies Second Short-Term Funding Measure

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) unveiled a second continuing resolution on Friday that would keep the government funded until April 8.

The short-term CR — which includes $6 billion in spending cuts — gives Congress and the White House three more weeks to hammer out a budget that would fund the government for the remainder of FY2011.

“A government shutdown is not an option, period,” Rogers said. “While short term funding measures are not the preferable way to fund the government, we must maintain critical programs and services for the American people until Congress comes to a final, long-term agreement.”

House and Senate leaders are stuck in somewhat of a quagmire over how much spending should be cut. Earlier this week, the Senate rejected a pair of funding proposals — one that cut $61 billion from current spending levels, and another that cut $6.5 billion. So far, Democrats have shown slightly more willingness to compromise with Republicans, who are insisting on deep reductions to reduce the nation’s $1.6 trillion deficit.

The cuts in the new extension are derived from funding recessions, reductions and program terminations to 25 different programs for a total savings of $3.5 billion. An additional $2.6 billion will be cut from a number of earmark accounts within the Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science, Financial Services/General Government and Interior departments.

Rogers noted in his announcement that every cut included in the bill was also included in H.R. 1, the House’s original budget proposal, and was also supported by President Obama in his annual budget requests. 

The short-term continuing resolution is expected to be considered by the full House next week.