Appropriations Activity -- June 2006

by Alan Lopatin, Washington Representative 

Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriations

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has approved its version of a Fiscal Year 2007 funding measure for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, including funding for the National Senior Service Corps (RSVP, SCP, and FGP).  Funding levels in the House Appropriations Committee-reported measure are identical to the fiscal year 2006 funding levels enacted late last year.

NATIONAL SENIOR SERVICE CORPS FUNDING (FY 2002-2007)

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Senior Companion Program

Foster Grandparent Program

 As the Committee began its work, House leaders had planned to bring the measure before the full House of Representatives during the week of June 19.  However, during consideration of the bill, the Committee agreed to an amendment by Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to increase the minimum wage by $2.10 – an amendment which passed 32-27 with five Committee Republicans supporting the move.  The Hoyer amendment, coupled with modest funding for domestic programs included in the bill, has temporarily put further consideration of the measure on hold.  Some observers of the process have wondered publicly whether the House will even consider the measure before the November elections and an anticipated lame duck session later this year.  Plans for Senate consideration of its companion measure have yet to be finalized.  In something of a setback, during Senate consideration of the FY 2006 Supplemental Appropriation for Iraq, Afghanistan, and hurricane relief, conferees rejected the earlier Budget Resolution decision to increase domestic spending by $7 billion in FY 2007 spending bills.