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Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Appropriations Update

Congress Daily (subscription req'd) is reporting that even if the minimum wage hike amendment in the House Labor-H funding bill is stripped out and put up for a vote in its own bill, Labor-H appropriations would still not see a full floor vote before September.

The measure also faces criticism from both wings of the GOP -- conservatives don't like the numerous earmarks; moderates argue it underfunds education and health programs.

Despite having more money to spread around, Senate Republicans are facing the same problems with their own Labor-HHS bill. The matter is likely to be discussed in a lame-duck session, if not kicked into next year as part of a continuing resolution.