April 19, 2016

Appropriations Bills will get Earliest Start

  • The Senate will begin debate on an appropriations bill at the earliest point in the year since the Budget Act of 1974 was enacted.

  • Last year, Democrats prevented the Senate from fulfilling one of its most basic responsibilities: funding the government through individual appropriations bills.

  • This year, Democrats should allow the Senate to do its job and work on appropriations bills.

Senate Republicans are poised to begin debate on appropriations bills early this year. Last year, Republicans would have begun debate at the earliest date in 15 years until Democrats filibustered beginning that debate. Democrats insisted on increasing domestic spending before accepting an increase in defense funding. This year, debate on appropriations bills is set to begin at the earliest date in the history of the modern budget process – since the Budget Act was passed in 1974.

Appropriations Debate Beginning Dates, FY 1999-2017

Republican-led Senate helps appropriations bills get earliest start

Issue Tag: Economy