House Appropriations Update
The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) altered the discretionary spending limits for fiscal years 2012-2021. The bill included caps for both security and non-security federal spending. The House of Representatives had previously passed budget allocations that resulted in security spending of $10 billion more than the limits in the BCA and non-security (including appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services) spending of $37 billion less than the limits in the BCA. It is expected that final allocations from the House will draw nearer to the limits for both security and non-security spending. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a report last week outlining the results of the House passed allocations. It stated, "Enacting security appropriations at these levels would trigger a uniform reduction (sequestration) of budgetary resources in all non-exempt budget accounts in the security category to eliminate the breach". This sequestration would not effect non-security, discretionary spending or mandatory spending accounts. The House is expected to address these allocations once it returns from its summer recess. Continue to monitor this blog for information relating to the ongoing FY 2012 appropriations process. We will also update this blog with information related to the ongoing negotiations of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Please contact NRHA government affairs at (202) 639-0550 with any questions.