[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5781-H5791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ACT, 2025
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 9747) making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal
year 2025, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 9747
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Continuing Appropriations
and Extensions Act, 2025''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. References.
DIVISION A--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
DIVISION B--EXTENSIONS
TITLE I--MISCELLANEOUS EXTENSIONS
TITLE II--HEALTH EXTENDERS
TITLE III--VETERANS EXTENDERS
TITLE IV--BUDGETARY EFFECTS
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to
``this Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be
treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.
DIVISION A--CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025
The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of
applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds,
for the several departments, agencies, corporations, and
other organizational units of Government for fiscal year
2025, and for other purposes, namely:
[[Page H5782]]
Sec. 101. Such amounts as may be necessary, at a rate for
operations as provided in the applicable appropriations Acts
for fiscal year 2024 and under the authority and conditions
provided in such Acts, for continuing projects or activities
(including the costs of direct loans and loan guarantees)
that are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Act,
that were conducted in fiscal year 2024, and for which
appropriations, funds, or other authority were made available
in the following appropriations Acts:
(1) The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
(division B of Public Law 118-42).
(2) The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division C of Public Law 118-42).
(3) The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024
(division A of Public Law 118-47).
(4) The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division D of Public Law 118-42).
(5) The Financial Services and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2024 (division B of Public Law 118-47),
except sections 637 and 638.
(6) The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
2024 (division C of Public Law 118-47), except section
546(e), and including sections 102 through 105 of title I of
division G of Public Law 118-47.
(7) The Department of the Interior, Environment, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (division E of
Public Law 118-42), except section 447.
(8) The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
(division D of Public Law 118-47).
(9) The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2024
(division E of Public Law 118-47), except the matter under
the heading ``Joint Items--Joint Congressional Committee on
Inaugural Ceremonies of 2025'', and including section 7 in
the matter preceding division A of Public Law 118-47.
(10) The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (division A of
Public Law 118-42), except section 259.
(11) The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of
Public Law 118-47), except section 7075(a).
(12) The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of
Public Law 118-42).
Sec. 102. (a) No appropriation or funds made available or
authority granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department
of Defense shall be used for:
(1) the new production of items not funded for production
in fiscal year 2024 or prior years;
(2) the increase in production rates above those sustained
with fiscal year 2024 funds; or
(3) the initiation, resumption, or continuation of any
project, activity, operation, or organization (defined as any
project, subproject, activity, budget activity, program
element, and subprogram within a program element, and for any
investment items defined as a P-1 line item in a budget
activity within an appropriation account and an R-1 line item
that includes a program element and subprogram element within
an appropriation account) for which appropriations, funds, or
other authority were not available during fiscal year 2024.
(b) No appropriation or funds made available or authority
granted pursuant to section 101 for the Department of Defense
shall be used to initiate multi-year procurements utilizing
advance procurement funding for economic order quantity
procurement unless specifically appropriated later.
Sec. 103. Appropriations made by section 101 shall be
available to the extent and in the manner that would be
provided by the pertinent appropriations Act.
Sec. 104. Except as otherwise provided in section 102, no
appropriation or funds made available or authority granted
pursuant to section 101 shall be used to initiate or resume
any project or activity for which appropriations, funds, or
other authority were not available during fiscal year 2024.
Sec. 105. Appropriations made and authority granted
pursuant to this Act shall cover all obligations or
expenditures incurred for any project or activity during the
period for which funds or authority for such project or
activity are available under this Act.
Sec. 106. Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or in
the applicable appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025,
appropriations and funds made available and authority granted
pursuant to this Act shall be available until whichever of
the following first occurs:
(1) The enactment into law of an appropriation for any
project or activity provided for in this Act.
(2) The enactment into law of the applicable appropriations
Act for fiscal year 2025 without any provision for such
project or activity.
(3) December 20, 2024.
Sec. 107. Expenditures made pursuant to this Act shall be
charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or
authorization whenever a bill in which such applicable
appropriation, fund, or authorization is contained is enacted
into law.
Sec. 108. Appropriations made and funds made available by
or authority granted pursuant to this Act may be used without
regard to the time limitations for submission and approval of
apportionments set forth in section 1513 of title 31, United
States Code, but nothing in this Act may be construed to
waive any other provision of law governing the apportionment
of funds.
Sec. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
except section 106, for those programs that would otherwise
have high initial rates of operation or complete distribution
of appropriations at the beginning of fiscal year 2025
because of distributions of funding to States, foreign
countries, grantees, or others, such high initial rates of
operation or complete distribution shall not be made, and no
grants shall be awarded for such programs funded by this Act
that would impinge on final funding prerogatives.
Sec. 110. This Act shall be implemented so that only the
most limited funding action of that permitted in the Act
shall be taken in order to provide for continuation of
projects and activities.
Sec. 111. (a) For entitlements and other mandatory payments
whose budget authority was provided in appropriations Acts
for fiscal year 2024, and for activities under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008, activities shall be continued at the
rate to maintain program levels under current law, under the
authority and conditions provided in the applicable
appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024, to be continued
through the date specified in section 106(3).
(b) Notwithstanding section 106, obligations for mandatory
payments due on or about the first day of any month that
begins after October 2024 but not later than 30 days after
the date specified in section 106(3) may continue to be made,
and funds shall be available for such payments.
Sec. 112. Amounts made available under section 101 for
civilian personnel compensation and benefits in each
department and agency may be apportioned up to the rate for
operations necessary to avoid furloughs within such
department or agency, consistent with the applicable
appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024, except that such
authority provided under this section shall not be used until
after the department or agency has taken all necessary
actions to reduce or defer non-personnel-related
administrative expenses.
Sec. 113. Funds appropriated by this Act may be obligated
and expended notwithstanding section 10 of Public Law 91-672
(22 U.S.C. 2412), section 15 of the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2680), section 313 of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and
1995 (22 U.S.C. 6212), and section 504(a)(1) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094(a)(1)).
Sec. 114. (a) Each amount incorporated by reference in this
Act that was previously designated by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(D) of such Act is designated by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of
such Act or as being for disaster relief pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(D) of such Act, respectively.
(b) Section 6 of Public Laws 118-42 and 118-47 shall apply
to amounts designated in subsection (a) and sections 138,
140, and 151 of this Act as an emergency requirement.
(c) Each amount incorporated by reference in this Act that
was previously designated in division B of Public Law 117-
159, division J of Public Law 117-58, or in section 443(b) of
division G of Public Law 117-328 by the Congress as an
emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on
the budget shall continue to be treated as an amount
specified in section 103(b) of division A of Public Law 118-
5.
(d) This section shall become effective immediately upon
enactment of this Act, and shall remain in effect through the
date in section 106(3).
Sec. 115. (a) Rescissions or cancellations of discretionary
budget authority that continue pursuant to section 101 in
Treasury Appropriations Fund Symbols (TAFS)--
(1) to which other appropriations are not provided by this
Act, but for which there is a current applicable TAFS that
does receive an appropriation in this Act; or
(2) which are no-year TAFS and receive other appropriations
in this Act, may be continued instead by reducing the rate
for operations otherwise provided by section 101 for such
current applicable TAFS, as long as doing so does not impinge
on the final funding prerogatives of the Congress.
(b) Rescissions or cancellations described in subsection
(a) shall continue in an amount equal to the lesser of--
(1) the amount specified for rescission or cancellation in
the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section 101
of this Act; or
(2) the amount of balances available, as of October 1,
2024, from the funds specified for rescission or cancellation
in the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section
101 of this Act.
(c) No later than November 18, 2024, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget shall provide to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Senate a comprehensive list of the rescissions or
cancellations that will continue pursuant to section 101:
Provided, That the information in such comprehensive list
shall be periodically updated to reflect any subsequent
changes in the amount of balances available, as of October 1,
2024, from the funds specified for rescission or cancellation
in the applicable appropriations Act referenced in section
101, and such updates shall
[[Page H5783]]
be transmitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate upon request.
Sec. 116. Amounts made available by section 101 for ``Farm
Service Agency--Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program
Account'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary to accommodate approved applications for direct and
guaranteed farm ownership loans, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
1922 et seq., and direct farm operating loans, as authorized
by 7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.
Sec. 117. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Rural Housing Service--Rural Community Facilities Program
Account'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary to maintain activities as authorized by section 306
and described in section 381E(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act.
Sec. 118. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Domestic Food Programs--Food and Nutrition Service--Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC)'' may be apportioned at the rate for
operations necessary to maintain participation.
Sec. 119. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Domestic Food Programs--Food and Nutrition Service--
Commodity Assistance Program'' may be apportioned up to the
rate for operations necessary to maintain current program
caseload in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Sec. 120. Section 260 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1636i) and section 942 of the Livestock
Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (7 U.S.C. 1635 note; Public
Law 106-78) shall be applied by substituting the date
specified in section 106(3) of this Act for ``September 30,
2024''.
Sec. 121. During the period covered by this Act, section
235(b) of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551
note; Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 2032), as such section
relates to chapter 311 of title 18, United States Code, and
the United States Parole Commission, shall be applied by
substituting ``37'' for ``36'' each place it appears.
Sec. 122. Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 for ``Corps of Engineers--Civil--
Operation and Maintenance'' may be used up to an amount not
to exceed $37,600,000, adjusted for inflation beginning
August 1, 2024, to provide compensation for reserving and
operating 3.6 million acre-feet of pre-planned flood storage
at Hugh Keenleyside Dam to minimize the flood risk in the
Columbia River Basin in the United States.
Sec. 123. During the period covered by this Act, section 3
of Public Law 106-392 shall be applied by substituting
``2025'' for ``2024'' each place it appears.
Sec. 124. Notwithstanding section 106, for the duration of
fiscal year 2025, amounts made available under section
601(f)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 801(f)(3))
shall be available for any necessary expenses of the
Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General with
respect to section 601 of such Act, subtitle A of title V of
division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, or
section 3201 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, in
addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes.
Sec. 125. Notwithstanding section 101, for ``Executive
Office of the President--Office of Administration--
Presidential Transition Administrative Support'', there is
appropriated $25,000,000 for an additional amount for fiscal
year 2025, to remain available until September 30, 2025, to
carry out the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C.
102 note) and similar expenses, in addition to amounts
otherwise available for such purposes: Provided, That such
funds may be transferred to other accounts (including other
agencies) that provide support to offices within the
Executive Office of the President and the Office of the Vice
President, to carry out such purposes, including to reimburse
obligations incurred prior to the enactment of this Act for
such purposes.
Sec. 126. In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, amounts are provided for ``District of
Columbia--Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security
Costs in the District of Columbia'' at a rate for operations
of $47,000,000, for an additional amount for costs associated
with the Presidential Inauguration to be held in January
2025: Provided, That such amounts may be apportioned up to
the rate for operations necessary to maintain emergency
planning and security activities relating to such
Presidential Inauguration.
Sec. 127. (a) The matter preceding the first proviso under
the heading ``Federal Payment to the District of Columbia
Public Defender Service'' in division B of Public Law 118-47
is amended by striking ``, for costs associated with
relocation under a replacement lease for headquarters
offices, field offices, and related facilities''.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), subsection (a) shall
become effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2024,
subsection (a) shall be applied as if it were in effect on
September 30, 2024.
(c) Notwithstanding section 101, the matter preceding the
first proviso under the heading ``Federal Payment to the
District of Columbia Public Defender Service'' in division B
of Public Law 118-47, as amended by subsection (a), shall be
applied as if ``, of which $3,000,000 shall remain available
until September 30, 2026'' were struck.
Sec. 128. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
except section 106, the District of Columbia may expend local
funds made available under the heading ``District of
Columbia--District of Columbia Funds'' for such programs and
activities under the District of Columbia Appropriations Act,
2024 (title IV of division B of Public Law 118-47) at the
rate set forth in the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of
2024 (D.C. Act 25-501), as modified as of the date of
enactment of this Act.
Sec. 129. (a) Notwithstanding section 101, for ``General
Services Administration--Expenses, Presidential Transition'',
there is appropriated $19,424,177, for an additional amount
for fiscal year 2025, to remain available until September 30,
2025, for necessary expenses to carry out the Presidential
Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note), of which
$14,443,726 is available for activities authorized by
sections 3(a)(1) through 3(a)(7) and 3(a)(10) of such Act;
$2,980,451 is available for activities authorized by section
5 of such Act; and $2,000,000 is available for activities
authorized by sections 3(a)(8) and 3(a)(9) of such Act:
Provided, That if there are two or more possible apparent
successful candidates, each such candidate, with the
exception of the incumbent President, is entitled to a
proportional share of the appropriations made available for
activities authorized by sections 3(a)(1) through 3(a)(7) and
3(a)(10) and sections 3(a)(8) and 3(a)(9) of such Act:
Provided further, That no apparent successful candidate shall
receive more than $7,221,863 for activities authorized by
sections 3(a)(1) through 3(a)(7) and 3(a)(10) of such Act and
$1,000,000 for activities authorized by sections 3(a)(8) and
3(a)(9) of such Act: Provided further, That such amounts may
be transferred and credited to the ``Acquisition Services
Fund'' or the ``Federal Buildings Fund'' to reimburse
obligations incurred prior to enactment of this Act for the
purposes provided herein related to the Presidential election
in 2024: Provided further, That in the case of two or more
possible apparent successful candidates, after a sole
apparent successful candidate is determined, the remaining
funds allotted to any unsuccessful candidate shall be
permanently rescinded: Provided further, That amounts
available under this section shall be in addition to any
other amounts available for such purposes.
(b) Notwithstanding section 101, no funds are provided by
this Act for ``General Services Administration--Pre-Election
Presidential Transition''.
Sec. 130. In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, for ``National Archives and Records
Administration--Operating Expenses'', there is appropriated
$23,000,000, for an additional amount for fiscal year 2025,
to remain available until September 30, 2025, to carry out
transition responsibilities of the Archivist of the United
States under sections 2201 through 2209 of title 44, United
States Code (commonly known as the ``Presidential Records Act
of 1978''), in addition to amounts otherwise available for
such purposes.
Sec. 131. Notwithstanding section 101, the matter
preceding the first proviso under the heading ``Office of
Personnel Management--Salaries and Expenses'' in division B
of Public Law 118-47 shall be applied by substituting
``$190,784,000'' for ``$219,076,000'' and the second proviso
under such heading in such division of such Act shall be
applied by substituting ``$245,267,000'' for
``$192,975,000''.
Sec. 132. Notwithstanding section 104, amounts made
available by section 101 to the Department of Homeland
Security for ``Coast Guard--Procurement, Construction, and
Improvements'' may be used for closeout costs relating to the
C-27J missionization program.
Sec. 133. During the period covered by this Act, section
11223(b)(2) of division K of Public Law 117-263 shall be
applied by substituting ``shall not apply'' for ``shall
apply''.
Sec. 134. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Homeland Security under the heading ``Federal
Emergency Management Agency--Disaster Relief Fund'' may be
apportioned up to the rate for operations necessary to carry
out response and recovery activities under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
Sec. 135. Amounts made available by section 101 to the
Department of Homeland Security for ``United States Secret
Service--Operations and Support'' may be apportioned up to
the rate for operations necessary to carry out protective
operations, including activities related to National Special
Security Events and the 2024 Presidential Campaign.
Sec. 136. In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, there is appropriated to the Department of
Homeland Security for ``United States Secret Service--
Operations and Support'', $231,000,000, for an additional
amount for fiscal year 2025, to remain available until
September 30, 2025, for operations necessary to carry out
protective operations including the 2024 Presidential
Campaign and National Special Security Events: Provided, That
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Director of the United States Secret Service shall
provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate an expenditure plan that
identifies, by program, project, and activity, the funding
obligated for the purposes specified in this section with
amounts for ``Operations and Support'' in this Act and shall
provide to the Committees monthly reports on the execution of
such expenditure plan: Provided further, That such amounts
may not be obligated until the Secretary of the Department of
Homeland
[[Page H5784]]
Security transmits to the House of Representatives Task Force
on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump and the
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs the Mission Assurance Report: Provided further, That
within 15 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Department of Homeland Security shall provide to the House of
Representatives Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of
Donald J. Trump all materials responsive to such Task Force's
letters transmitted on August 12, 2024, and August 28, 2024:
Provided further, That the Director of the Secret Service
shall respond in a timely manner to oversight inquiries
(including requests for documents, information, and testimony
from any Secret Service personnel) on protective operations
funded in this Act or in Public Law 118-47 from the House of
Representatives Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of
Donald J. Trump; the Committees on Appropriations, Homeland
Security, Oversight and Accountability, and Judiciary of the
House of Representatives; and the Committees on
Appropriations, Judiciary, and Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate, or any subcommittees
thereof: Provided further, That responses shall be considered
timely if provided on or before the deadline specified by the
requesting committee or subcommittee.
Sec. 137. (a) Sections 1309(a) and 1319 of the National
Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4016(a) and 4026)
shall be applied by substituting the date specified in
section 106(3) of this Act for ``September 30, 2023''.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2024, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2024.
Sec. 138. (a) During the period covered by this Act,
section 104 of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance
Act (division G of Public Law 117-180) shall be applied by
substituting the date specified in section 106(3) of this Act
for ``2 years after the date on which regulations are first
promulgated under subsection (f)'', and ``May 31, 2024''.
(b) Amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were
previously designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the
budget are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to
section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 139. In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, amounts are provided for ``Department of the
Interior--National Park Service--Operation of the National
Park System'' at a rate for operations of $5,000,000, for an
additional amount for security and visitor safety activities
related to the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies.
Sec. 140. (a) Funds previously made available in the
Further Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster
Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (subdivision 1 of division B of
Public Law 115-123) for the ``National Park Service--Historic
Preservation Fund'' that were available for obligation
through fiscal year 2019 are to remain available through
fiscal year 2026 for the liquidation of valid obligations
incurred in fiscal years 2018 and 2019: Provided, That
amounts repurposed pursuant to this section that were
previously designated by the Congress as an emergency
requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated as an emergency
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2024, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2024.
Sec. 141. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Agriculture--Forest Service--Wildland Fire
Management'' may be apportioned up to the rate for operations
necessary for wildfire suppression activities.
Sec. 142. (a) In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, amounts are provided for ``Department of Health
and Human Services--Indian Health Service--Indian Health
Services'' at a rate for operations of $24,262,000, for an
additional amount for costs of staffing and operating
facilities that were opened, renovated, or expanded in fiscal
years 2024 and 2025, and such amounts may be apportioned up
to the rate for operations necessary to staff and operate
such facilities.
(b) In addition to amounts otherwise provided by section
101, amounts are provided for ``Department of Health and
Human Services--Indian Health Service--Indian Health
Facilities'' at a rate for operations of $2,060,000, for an
additional amount for costs of staffing and operating
facilities that were opened, renovated, or expanded in fiscal
years 2024 and 2025, and such amounts may be apportioned up
to the rate for operations necessary to staff and operate
such facilities.
Sec. 143. During the period covered by this Act, section
113 of division G of Public Law 113-76, as amended by Public
Law 116-6, shall be applied by substituting ``2025'' for
``2024''.
Sec. 144. In addition to amounts otherwise provided by
section 101, amounts are provided for ``Department of Labor--
Bureau of Labor Statistics--Salaries and Expenses'' at a rate
for operations of $6,000,000, for an additional amount for
the Current Population Survey.
Sec. 145. Activities authorized by part A of title IV
(other than under section 403(c) or 418) and section 1108(b)
of the Social Security Act shall continue through the date
specified in section 106(3), in the manner authorized for
fiscal year 2024, and out of any money in the Treasury of the
United States not otherwise appropriated, there are hereby
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for such purpose.
Sec. 146. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
there is appropriated--
(1) for payment to the heirs at law of Sheila Jackson Lee,
late a Representative from the State of Texas, $174,000;
(2) for payment to Elsie M. Pascrell, widow of William
Pascrell, Jr., late a Representative from the State of New
Jersey, $174,000; and
(3) for payment to Beatrice Y. Payne, widow of Donald M.
Payne, Jr., late a Representative from the State of New
Jersey, $174,000.
Sec. 147. Notwithstanding sections 102 and 104, amounts
made available by section 101 to the Department of Defense
for ``Military Construction, Navy'' may be used by the
Secretary of the Navy to carry out military construction not
otherwise authorized by law for a Trident Refit Facility
project at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
Sec. 148. Notwithstanding section 101, section 126 of
division A of Public Law 118-42 shall be applied by
substituting ``fiscal year 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020'' for
``fiscal year 2017, 2018, and 2019''.
Sec. 149. (a) The remaining unobligated balances as of
September 30, 2024, from amounts made available until
September 30, 2024, for ``Departmental Administration--
Construction, Major Projects'' in title II of division F of
the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law
116-94) are hereby rescinded, and in addition to amounts
otherwise provided by section 101, an amount of additional
new budget authority equivalent to the amount rescinded
pursuant to this section is hereby appropriated on September
30, 2024, for an additional amount for fiscal year 2024, to
remain available until September 30, 2029, and shall be
available for the same purposes and under the same
authorities provided under such heading in Public Law 116-94,
in addition to other funds as may be available for such
purposes.
(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), this section shall become
effective immediately upon enactment of this Act.
(2) If this Act is enacted after September 30, 2024, this
section shall be applied as if it were in effect on September
30, 2024.
Sec. 150. Amounts made available by section 101 for
``Department of Transportation--Office of the Secretary--
Payments to Air Carriers'' may be apportioned up to the rate
for operations necessary to maintain Essential Air Service
program operations.
Sec. 151. During the period covered by this Act, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may use the
unobligated balances of amounts made available in prior
fiscal years in the second paragraph under the heading
``Department of Housing and Urban Development--Public and
Indian Housing--Tenant-Based Rental Assistance'' to support
additional allocations under subparagraph (D) of paragraph
(1) and subparagraph (B) of paragraph (4) of such heading to
prevent the termination of rental assistance for families as
a result of insufficient funding in the calendar year 2024
funding cycle: Provided, That amounts repurposed pursuant to
this section that were previously designated by the Congress
as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent
resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 are designated by the Congress as
being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 152. During the period covered by this Act, section
517 of title 10, United States Code, shall not apply with
respect to the Coast Guard.
This division may be cited as the ``Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2025''.
DIVISION B--EXTENSIONS
TITLE I--MISCELLANEOUS EXTENSIONS
SEC. 101. PROTECTION OF CERTAIN FACILITIES AND ASSETS FROM
UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.
Section 210G(i) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 124n(i)) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2024''
and inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
SEC. 102. JOINT TASK FORCES.
Section 708(b)(13) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 348(b)(13)) shall be applied by substituting
``December 20, 2024'' for ``September 30, 2024''.
SEC. 103. NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION SYSTEM
AUTHORIZATION.
Section 227(a) of the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act
of 2015 (6 U.S.C. 1525(a)) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2024'' and inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
SEC. 104. CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
COMMISSION.
Section 6(g) of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development
Act (16 U.S.C. 410y-4(g)) is amended by striking ``40'' and
all that follows through the period at the end and inserting
``on December 20, 2024.''.
SEC. 105. EBT BENEFIT FRAUD PREVENTION.
Section 501 of division HH of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (7 U.S.C. 2016a), is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (4)(A)(iii), by striking ``to the maximum
extent practicable,''; and
[[Page H5785]]
(B) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``October'' and inserting ``December'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to the maximum
extent practicable,'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(iv) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
(v) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) a comparison of State plans related to reimbursement,
prevention, and other relevant procedures approved in
accordance with subsection (b)(1)(A); and''; and
(vi) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``and proactively'' after ``consistently'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(C), by striking ``September 30,
2024'' and inserting ``December 20, 2024''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Comptroller General.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report
that examines risks related to supplemental nutrition
assistance program electronic benefit transfer payment system
security, including the risk of stolen benefits through card
skimming, card cloning, and other similar methods.
``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include an assessment of--
``(A) the extent to which the Department of Agriculture
manages payment system security, including risks related to
stolen benefits, compared to leading industry practices;
``(B) the manner in which States, retailers, and other
relevant entities manage risks related to stolen benefits;
``(C) the oversight of and guidance provided by the
Secretary to States regarding stolen benefits; and
``(D) recommendations and policy options for--
``(i) improving how the Department of Agriculture and other
relevant entities manage payment system security risks,
including those related to stolen benefits; and
``(ii) how the Department of Agriculture may best share
those improvements with States, retailers, and other relevant
entities.''.
SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN ACES
PROGRAM.
Section 8302(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
3851a(b)) shall be applied by substituting ``1 day after
December 20, 2024'' for ``October 1, 2023''.
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY.
Section 8206(b)(2)(C)(ii) of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2)(C)(ii)) shall be applied by
substituting ``1 day after December 20, 2024'' for ``October
1, 2024''.
SEC. 108. TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF FOOD FOR PEACE ACT.
The authorities provided by each provision of the Food for
Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.), as in effect on September
30, 2024, shall remain in effect through December 20, 2024.
SEC. 109. OVERSEAS PAY COMPARABILITY AND LIMITATION.
(a) In General.--The authority provided under section 1113
of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-
32; 123 Stat. 1904) shall remain in effect through December
20, 2024.
(b) Limitation.--The authority described in subsection (a)
may not be used to pay an eligible member of the Foreign
Service (as defined in section 1113(b) of the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32; 123 Stat. 1904))
a locality-based comparability payment (stated as a
percentage) that exceeds two-thirds of the amount of the
locality-based comparability payment (stated as a percentage)
that would be payable to such member under section 5304 of
title 5, United States Code, if such member's official duty
station were in the District of Columbia.
SEC. 110. PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE COMPACT OF FREE
ASSOCIATION WITH THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU.
(a) Federal Programs and Services Agreement With the
Government of the Republic of Palau.--During the period
beginning on October 1, 2024, and ending on the date on which
a new Federal programs and services agreement with the
Government of the Republic of Palau enters into force, any
activities described in sections 132 and 221(a) of the
Compact of Free Association between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Republic
of Palau set forth in section 201 of Public Law 99-658 (48
U.S.C. 1931 note) shall, with the mutual consent of the
Government of the Republic of Palau, continue in the manner
authorized and required for fiscal year 2024 under the
amended agreements described in subsections (b) and (f) of
section 462 of that Compact.
(b) Amendments Related to the 2024 Federal Programs and
Services Agreement With the Republic of Palau.--
(1) Section 204(e) of the Compact of Free Association
Amendments Act of 2024 (48 U.S.C. 1983(e)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (4), by redesignating subparagraphs (A)
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as
subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(C) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``An agreement'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--An agreement''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Federal programs and services agreement with the
republic of palau.--Subparagraphs (A) and (D)(iii) of section
101(c)(2) of Public Law 99-658 (48 U.S.C. 1931(c)(2)) and
subsection (d)(2)(A) shall not apply to an agreement that
would amend, change, or terminate the agreement described in
section 462(f) of the U.S.-Palau Compact.''.
(2) Section 210(a)(2) of the Compact of Free Association
Amendments Act of 2024 (48 U.S.C. 1989(a)(2)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) with respect to the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, any applicable Federal programs and services
agreement between the United States and the Republic of
Palau; and''.
SEC. 111. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CIVIL SERVICE ANNUITANT WAIVER.
Section 625(j)(1)(B) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2385(j)(1)(B)) shall be applied by striking
``October 1, 2010'' and inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
SEC. 112. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
INSPECTOR GENERAL ANNUITANT WAIVER.
The authorities provided under section 1015(b) of the
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-212;
124 Stat. 2332)--
(1) shall remain in effect through December 20, 2024; and
(2) may be used to facilitate the assignment of persons for
oversight of programs in countries with a humanitarian
disaster or complex emergency declaration.
SEC. 113. EXTENSION OF HONG KONG HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
ACT OF 2019.
Section 7(h) of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy
Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-76; 22 U.S.C. 5701 note) is
amended by striking ``the date that is 5 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``December 20,
2024''.
SEC. 114. EXTENSION OF TRANSFERS OF AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS
ACQUIRED WITH AIP FUNDING.
Section 728(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
(Public Law 118-63) is amended by striking ``October 1,
2024'' and inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
TITLE II--HEALTH EXTENDERS
Subtitle A--Public Health
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM.
(a) Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research
Program.--Section 399AA(e) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 280i(e)) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2024'' and inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
(b) Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention.--
Section 399BB(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280i-1(g)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and
inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
(c) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.--Section
399CC(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-
2(f)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and
inserting ``December 20, 2024''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ISSUE PRIORITY REVIEW
VOUCHERS TO ENCOURAGE TREATMENTS FOR RARE
PEDIATRIC DISEASES.
Section 529(b)(5) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 360ff(b)(5)) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2024'' each place it appears and inserting
``December 20, 2024''.
SEC. 203. NO SURPRISES ACT IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING.
Section 118(a) of title I of division BB of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) is
amended by striking ``through 2024'' and inserting ``through
September 30, 2025''.
Subtitle B--Medicaid
SEC. 211. MEDICAID FUNDING FOR THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS.
Section 1108(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), and
(14)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(14) Additional increase for the northern mariana
islands.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall increase the total
amount otherwise determined under this subsection for the
Northern Mariana Islands for the period beginning on October
1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2024, by $27,100,000.
``(B) Special rules.--The increase described in
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall apply to the total amount certified by the
Secretary under title XIX for payment to the Northern Mariana
Islands for services attributable to fiscal year 2023 or
2024, notwithstanding that payments for any such services are
made by the Northern Mariana Islands in fiscal year 2025; and
``(ii) shall be in addition to the amount calculated under
paragraph (2) for the Northern
[[Page H5786]]
Mariana Islands for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 and shall not
be taken into account in calculating an amount under
paragraph (2) for the Northern Mariana Islands for fiscal
year 2025 or a subsequent fiscal year.''.
Subtitle C--Medicare
SEC. 221. REVISING PHASE-IN OF MEDICARE CLINICAL LABORATORY
TEST PAYMENT CHANGES.
(a) Revised Phase-In of Reductions From Private Payor Rate
Implementation.--Section 1834A(b)(3) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m-1(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2027'' and inserting
``2028''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2025''; and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ``2025 through 2027'' and
inserting ``2026 through 2028''.
(b) Revised Reporting Period for Reporting of Private
Sector Payment Rates for Establishment of Medicare Payment
Rates.--Section 1834A(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395m-1(a)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2025''; and
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``2025'' each place it
appears and inserting ``2026''.
SEC. 222. MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``2022, $0'' and
inserting ``2026, $3,197,000,000''.
TITLE III--VETERANS EXTENDERS
Subtitle A--Health Care
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS
FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME
CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED
DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF EXPANSION OF RURAL ACCESS NETWORK FOR
GROWTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Section 2(d) of the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental
Health Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-21; 38 U.S.C. 1712A note)
is amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE VETERANS
ACCESS TO COMPLEMENTARY AND INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
PROGRAMS THROUGH ANIMAL THERAPY, AGRITHERAPY,
SPORTS AND RECREATION THERAPY, ART THERAPY, AND
POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH PROGRAMS.
Section 203(d)(1) of the Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-171; 38
U.S.C. 1712A note) is amended by striking ``for a three-year
period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program''
and inserting ``until September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL
FACILITY DEMONSTRATION FUND.
Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2573), as
most recently amended by section 104 of division E of the
Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-180; 136 Stat.
2137), is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
Subtitle B--Memorial Affairs
SEC. 311. EXTENSION OF ENTITLEMENT TO MEMORIAL HEADSTONES AND
MARKERS FOR COMMEMORATION OF VETERANS AND
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.
Section 2306(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``October 1, 2024'' both places it
appears and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO BURY REMAINS OF CERTAIN
SPOUSES AND CHILDREN IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.
Section 2402(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``October 1, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 313. AUTHORITY FOR USE OF FLAT GRAVE MARKERS AT SANTA FE
NATIONAL CEMETERY, NEW MEXICO.
Section 2404(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) in the case of Santa Fe National Cemetery, New
Mexico, the Secretary may provide for flat grave markers in
any section of such cemetery in which flat markers were in
use on December 22, 2023.''.
Subtitle C--Homelessness
SEC. 321. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR
SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING FOR DISABLED VETERANS
RESIDING TEMPORARILY IN HOUSING OWNED BY A
FAMILY MEMBER.
Section 2102A(e) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 322. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September
30, 2025''.
SEC. 323. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS
WITH CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
SEC. 324. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``September 30, 2024''
and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section
2033(d) of such title is amended by striking ``September 30,
2024'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 325. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN
FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.
(a) In General.--Section 2044(e)(H) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2025''.
(b) Technical Amendment.--Section 2044(e) of such title is
amended by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (H) as
paragraphs (1) through (8), respectively.
SEC. 326. EXTENSION OF FUNDING FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2025''.
Subtitle D--Other Authorities
SEC. 331. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO
AND FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
FACILITIES.
Section 111A(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 332. EXTENSION OF TESTIMONIAL SUBPOENA AUTHORITY OF
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
Section 312(d)(7)(A) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``May 31, 2025'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 333. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE
IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting ``September
30, 2025''.
SEC. 334. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY
ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS
TRAINING IN PARALYMPIC AND OLYMPIC SPORTS
PROGRAM.
Section 322 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``the United States Olympic Committee''
each place it appears and inserting ``the United States
Olympic & Paralympic Committee'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Veterans Benefits
Administration'' and inserting ``Veterans Health
Administration''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (4) to read as
follows:
``(4) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this subsection the following:
``(A) For each of fiscal years 2010 through 2023,
$2,000,000.
``(B) For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027,
$2,500,000.''.
SEC. 335. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REPORT ON EQUITABLE
RELIEF PROVIDED DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.
Section 503(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended,
in the second sentence, by striking ``December 31, 2024'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2025''.
SEC. 336. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.
The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 15,
2031'' each place it appears and inserting ``November 29,
2031''.
SEC. 337. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSFER OF REAL
PROPERTY.
Section 8118(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and inserting
``September 30, 2025''.
SEC. 338. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Section 7103 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D.
Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020
(Public Law 116-315) is amended by striking ``for fiscal year
2022 and each of the next three subsequent fiscal years'' and
inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029''.
TITLE IV--BUDGETARY EFFECTS
SEC. 401. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
(a) Statutory PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of
this division shall not be entered on either PAYGO scorecard
maintained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-
You-Go Act of 2010.
(b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of this
division shall not be entered on any PAYGO scorecard
maintained for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71
(115th Congress).
(c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding
Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
[[Page H5787]]
joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference
accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, the budgetary effects of this division shall not be
estimated--
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act;
(2) for purposes of an allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations pursuant to section 302(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
(3) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an
appropriation Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro)
each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in true opposition to the
legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentlewoman from Connecticut opposed
to this?
Ms. DeLAURO. No, I am not opposed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas will control the
time in opposition.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield one-half of
my time to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the
distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, and ask
that the gentlewoman be allowed to control that time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
General Leave
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 9747.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations
and Extensions Act of 2025.
In a matter of days, funding for the fiscal year 2024 will run out,
and it is Congress' responsibility to ensure that the government
remains open and serving the American people. We are here to avert
harmful disruptions to our national security and vital programs our
constituents rely on.
Before I discuss the underlying bill, I would like to note the
progress this body has made so far on the appropriations process. After
a late start due to the delay of the fiscal year 2024 process and a
late Presidential budget request, the Appropriations Committee
succeeded in passing all 12 of our fiscal 2025 bills out of committee,
all of which were within the bounds of the Fiscal Responsibility Act,
which is enshrined in law. The House then passed five of those bills
across the floor, representing nearly 71 percent of overall
discretionary spending.
Despite House Republicans' strong momentum, time is drawing short,
and our colleagues in the Senate--who have yet to pass all of their
bills out of committee or to pass a single fiscal year 2025 bill across
the floor--have not kept pace with the House. It is clear we are unable
to complete the full appropriations process by September 30. That means
that a continuing resolution is needed.
The bill before us is narrow in scope and continues government
operations through December 20. It includes extensions for critical
programs that must remain in place, such as WIC, TANF, and the National
Flood Insurance Program. It also includes additional resources for the
Secret Service to ensure candidates and government leaders are
protected while also guaranteeing the full cooperation of the Secret
Service with congressional investigations.
Mr. Speaker, governance by continuing resolution is not ideal. Like
most, my preference would be to pass full-year individual
appropriations bills through regular order, but we are out of time. We
cannot afford a shutdown, which would be greatly damaging to our
national security, to critical government programs, and to the American
people, not to mention the enormous cost of government shutdowns.
I commend the Speaker for his efforts to find a path forward. He was
dealt a very difficult hand and has delivered once again for the good
of the country. This path ensures Americans aren't needlessly punished
with a costly shutdown and allows the people, and, importantly, the
next President, to have a say in the appropriations process.
Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge all of my colleagues to vote
in favor of H.R. 9747 today. I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Let me first say a thank you to the gentleman from Oklahoma for
allowing me the 10 minutes of time. I am much appreciative.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this continuing resolution, which
will avert a costly and pointless government shutdown and provide
Congress with the time required to enact bipartisan, full-year funding
bills for 2025.
We require a continuing resolution to keep the government open
because House Republicans chose to squander the Second Session of the
118th Congress by writing extreme and harmful funding bills based on
Donald Trump's Project 2025 manifesto, seven of which the House did not
even consider because the majority knew the bills did not have the
votes to pass on the floor of the House.
It is never ideal to govern with a continuing resolution, but this is
a responsible and sober measure that avoids many of the problems that
would have been created with a 6-month funding bill.
After the continuing resolution is enacted, the Appropriations
Committees should begin bipartisan negotiations to finish full-year
bills by December 20. This will be a difficult task.
We must address significant shortfalls in veterans' healthcare,
disaster relief, and other priorities. These problems demand bipartisan
solutions, and so we must drop poison pill riders and massive cuts to
the services that American families depend on so that this Congress can
finish its work.
No matter who wins in November, we owe it to the next Congress and
the next President to not saddle them with yesterday's problems. We
know where we must end up, and it is my hope that this bill will
provide the bipartisan momentum needed to arrive there.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The
last time we moved all 12 appropriations bills through the House, I
believe, was in FY 2010. The last time that we did not have to use a
continuing resolution to be able to fund government, I believe, was
1997. I think four times in my lifetime have we been able to pass all
12 appropriations bills through both bodies and get them signed by the
President of the United States.
This institution is failing. It is failing to do the one core thing
it is supposed to try to figure out what to do, and that isn't the
spending bills. It is actually defending the United States of America,
securing the border of the United States, doing what the Constitution
actually prescribes, what the preamble lays out, securing the blessings
of liberty. We are not doing that.
We end up in a vicious circle every single year, the same vicious
circle. The American people are watching, and they are wondering why on
Earth cannot the 435 people sent here to represent them figure out how
to do what every other family and business and nonprofit in the United
States has to do?
The short answer is because we can and do print money. We
irresponsibly continue to spend money that we do not have, that we have
not collected, and we continue to retreat to the corners of our safe
political spaces and hide behind them in order to try to sell something
to the American people.
My colleagues on this side of the aisle tend to hide behind national
defense and say, well, we must do this, and therefore we must spend
more money that we don't have in order to accomplish the goal of
defending the United States which, by the way, I would question whether
we are actually defending the United States when our borders are not
secure.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have never met a program
they don't want to advance to make
[[Page H5788]]
another promise that we can't fully honor to the American people in the
form of some additional welfare payment or additional bunch of free
stuff, but yet we never pay for any of this, not a dime.
{time} 1430
We are taking in $4.5 to $5 trillion, and we are spending $6.5 to $7
trillion. What are we doing? I mean, it is absurd. The American people
look at us and ask what on Earth is wrong in Washington. We end up back
at the same spot every single year.
This year, the Speaker put forward a proposal that would have the
continuing resolution extend into 2025 and then would have guaranteed
that we know that only American citizens vote in American elections, in
Federal elections.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle like to dismiss that as
an issue that is not a problem, nonexistent, despite the data rolling
in from States with their limited tools to go determine citizenship.
We had the secretary of state of Florida testify in front of the
Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee that they don't have
the tools they need. They had to sue the Federal Government to get the
limited tools they are using. Other States, Texas, identified people
who were on the rolls that were noncitizens. We know it is a real
issue.
Give us this simple measure that just reinforces existing law to
ensure that issue, and we have violent opposition from our colleagues
on the other side of the aisle. Then, inexplicably, a handful of people
on this side of the aisle wanted to oppose that measure out of some
sort of deference to opposition to a CR and then set the circumstances
for where we are right now, today, where we find ourselves with the
Speaker putting a short-term CR into December, which was the natural
outcome, the predictable outcome of the opposition of the plan put
forward by the Speaker 2 weeks ago.
It is more of the same games that get bemoaned by the very people
complaining about the games. You can't complain that the games are
going on and then play games. That is the truth.
I appreciate the Appropriations Committee chairman for working and
trying to work across the Conference, across the entire body, to figure
out how to get something done.
We passed 5 appropriations bills--better than none, not 12. Last
year, we passed 7 appropriations bills--better than none, not all 12.
The Senate, led by our Democratic colleagues over there, passed zero,
not one. Not one appropriations bill has the Senate sent out of that
Chamber to this Chamber.
Who is it who is serious about wanting to do our job? I will say,
despite my publicly stated concerns about some decisions on this side
of the aisle, the truth of the matter is that had our Democratic
colleagues been in charge of this Chamber, what we would have seen is a
massive increase in spending. The nondefense spending would have gone
up, whereas we have kept it flat. The defense spending that did go up
we paid for out of the IRS expansion. We pulled that back so you didn't
have IRS agents in your living rooms if you are a middle-class
taxpayer.
We took COVID money and paid for that defense increase and were able
to stop what the Democrats would have done, which would have passed
legislation in the name of border security that would codify that
dangerous release of individuals onto the streets of the United States
that have led directly to the death of Americans, Americans like
Jocelyn Nungaray, whose beautiful 27-year-old mom testified in the
Judiciary Committee because her daughter went missing after she put her
to bed on Sunday night and then, on Monday, she finds out that she was
gagged, bound, and raped in Houston, Texas, and murdered.
Alexis Nungaray is a hero and had the courage to come testify about
that, about what happened to her daughter. Are we doing anything about
that? No. Our Democrat colleagues refuse.
Instead, they want to hide behind a bill in the Senate, which they
couldn't even get out of the Democrat-controlled Senate, that never had
any chance of passage. They want to say somehow that that was a grand
bipartisan bill because--what?--a couple of Republican Senators had a
couple of conversations with them about it.
The bill had no chance of moving, and that bill would have codified
Kamala Harris', the border czar's, mass-release policies into the
United States.
Laken Riley is dead. Jocelyn Nungaray is dead. Kayla Hamilton is
dead. Rachel Morin is dead. I could go down the laundry list of
Americans who have died at the hands of people released into the United
States by this administration.
I could go down a laundry list of examples of noncitizens voting and
our colleagues on the other side of the aisle not caring about it,
wanting to continue to fund an executive branch that is refusing to
follow the law, blatantly disregarding asylum laws, blatantly
disregarding parole laws to endanger the American people.
That is why some of my colleagues here, by the way, didn't want to
support a CR. They don't want to fund an executive branch that is at
war with the people. If you are a Texan and now increasingly across the
country, like Laken Riley in Georgia or Kayla and Rachel in Maryland,
you can't help but believe that this administration is, in fact, at war
with your well-being.
You have gangs now operating in Dallas and gangs operating in
Colorado. You have expansive criminal activity and fentanyl pouring
into our streets. We are not doing anything about it as the Article I
branch that is sent here to check the Article II executive branch.
Here we are again, kicking the can down the road, to quote my
friend--and he is my friend--the gentleman from Kentucky, Thomas
Massie, with whom I disagree on our tactical strategy with respect to
the CR plus SAVE Act.
The CR plus SAVE Act was designed for a reason. We should secure
American elections. We should guarantee that only American citizens
vote in American elections. We should not be kicking the can down the
road to December 20, a mere 5 days before Christmas.
That is what this town always does because this town is built around
K Street. It is built around people believing they need to spend more
money, and when we do that, then we just take another chunk out of the
hide that is the fabric of this country, racking up more debt.
Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, in 2022, a $1.7 trillion omnibus bill was
passed when? December 23. That is not an accident. It is by design. It
is on purpose. That is what people in this town want. They want the
pressure so that everybody will clap, get on their planes, and go home
to open their gifts and be around the Christmas tree with their kids
while they destroy the very country that they are here to represent.
That is what will happen unless we fight it. Now, we are going to
have to spend a lot of time--and I will--fighting against whatever
massive omnibus bill is tried to jam down our throats on December 20
before Christmas so that everybody can enjoy their jet fumes and role
out of D.C. Last time, we threw in $45 billion for Ukraine for good
measure in that massive omnibus spending bill right before Christmas.
We shouldn't be in this place. We shouldn't be in this position. I
think the Speaker was correct. I think the Committee on Appropriations
chair was correct in working with the Speaker, and our body was correct
in putting forward a bill that would have extended spending into next
year.
Allow the next President and allow the next Congress to deal with
this issue while we try to preserve and protect American elections.
That is what we should have done.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano), the distinguished ranking member of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant support of H.R. 9747,
which does the bare minimum to avoid a government shutdown, keeping the
bus moving only until we ultimately face another Republican-induced
funding crisis just before Christmas.
I say ``reluctant support'' because, for some unknown reason, this
bill lacks a crucial $12 billion that we direly need for the Veterans
Health Administration. No one in the majority has
[[Page H5789]]
come even remotely close to explaining why, not Speaker Johnson,
Majority Leader Scalise, not even my counterpart on the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, Chairman Bost. Not a single person can articulate
why we aren't helping veterans right now in this vehicle.
We know VHA requires this funding to be able to care for veterans,
and we know Congress will provide this money eventually, so I am
baffled as to why we are waiting. We can and should be doing it now,
yet the bus remains stuck in the station.
What do we gain by holding veteran healthcare hostage to the
majority's political whims? The answer is nothing. Yet, we still wait,
our wheels spinning round and round, and veterans and their families
are left in the lurch.
Mr. Speaker, how much longer must we continue to idle while the
majority party deludes themselves into thinking they can govern? This
has been the least productive Congress in modern history. The majority
can't even convince its own Members to support its own bills.
The Speaker's no buses, anti-omnibus screed was as predictable as it
was unrealistic in a divided government. Democrats have been repeatedly
called upon to be the adults in the room and keep this body
functioning.
Let's drop the pretense and work together on legislation we know has
broad support. I can think of nothing that has broader consensus than
funding veteran healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, I implore my colleagues to get on board the bus and stop
throwing veterans under the bus. Let's provide funding to the Veterans
Health Administration as soon as possible.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would note that the reason that there is a question
about veterans funding is because, despite the observation and protest
of many at least on this side of the aisle that the PACT Act, which was
passed, I believe, 2 years ago, was not going to be able to deal with
the claims against it and would create funding problems in addition to
this massive mandatory bloc of funding. This was all laid bare, and now
here we are and we have to pay the piper.
You have to say, okay, we passed the PACT Act with this kind of open-
ended amount of funding all in the name of doing something righteous
that we all want to do, to care for veterans who were harmed with burn
pits, but we did it the worst way possible because we are Congress, and
that is what we do. We identify a problem, and we come up with
literally the worst possible solution you can come up with. Then the
American people kind of look at you and go, well, here we are again.
You have to go write a check like we did last week for $3 billion,
and then guess what happens? The CBO, in all of its infinite wisdom,
will come forward and actually, with a straight face, say something
about the baseline and how that $3 billion that we needed to
appropriate really doesn't cost anything, doesn't score. That is what
your CBO will do because that is what it just did.
Guess what? The $12 billion that we are talking about in the
additional veterans money that we know we are going to go ahead and
fund, as the gentleman was just referring to, CBO will say the same
thing. They will say it again. They will say that mandatory spending at
baseline is already built in, that this doesn't cost anything. Then why
do we have to appropriate it? Why do we come down here and write the
check?
This is why you are $35.6 trillion in debt, Mr. Speaker, because
nobody here is serious. They are literally not serious. If we were
serious, then we would say that we messed up when we passed the PACT
Act, and it is now costing more than they said it was going to cost.
If this were my home, I would say that I thought that if I spent this
amount of money, it was going to all be fine. I bought the house, the
mortgage, interest rates. Now, it costs more. Do I just walk away from
that? Do I just go print some money to go pay for my bills at my house?
That is what we do. We just say let's go to the magic tree, print
more money for the $3 billion that we messed up, and then we will go
back and do it again and say: Well, $12 billion next year. Don't worry.
It won't score.
Nobody in America knows what the hell that means. What it means is
you are racking up more debt because of our incompetence. That is what
that means, and it is done in the name of veterans because you are not
allowed to oppose a bill if the word ``veteran'' is in the title. You
are not allowed to oppose a bill if the words ``teacher'' or
``firefighter'' or ``police officer'' are in the title.
Do you know how many bills last week we passed on suspension, racking
up more billions because it had something in there about autism or
something in there for a study or more funding for something else
because you don't dare oppose it because you put something like that in
the title? Then all of the people are left holding the bag.
At what point are we going to actually be serious? My friend, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget, Jodey Arrington, posed this
question of the Committee on the Budget a little bit earlier: Are we
ever going to come together and have an actual conversation, or are we
just going to say every tax cut, no matter what it is, magically pays
for itself?
Let me give a little hint to Republicans: They don't all pay for
themselves. They don't. It is simple math. Some tax cuts do because
they create economic growth. Some tax cuts don't.
Can we be serious about that on this side of the aisle?
{time} 1445
Can my colleagues on the other side of the aisle admit that there is
any limit at all to another feel-good program that they want to pass to
be able to go buy votes because they put a nice little title in the
bill? I doubt it. That is why we are $35.6 trillion in debt.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the time, and I do say with respect to the
Appropriations Committee--and by the way, a shout-out to their staff
processing a lot of amendments this year, the hard work of the
Appropriations Committee. When you process 1,000-odd amendments or
whatever it has been, it is an extraordinary amount of work. I am
deeply appreciative of the Appropriations Committee.
Those amendments are important. They are an important part of the
process. I am proud of the fact that we process amendments.
I am proud of the bills that we produced, the five bills that we
passed.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are not wrong. There are
some divisions on this side of the aisle. You know what, I am proud of
those divisions, too, because at least we are having a debate. At least
we are having a full-throated debate about how we can try to get out of
this mess while our colleagues on the other side of the aisle bury
their heads in the sand.
We are trying to figure out how you can possibly continue to spend
money like this without consequences. That is why those 14, 16
Republicans opposed the CR, plus SAVE. I understand why. I am
sympathetic to some of their arguments, but I don't believe that you
can come down here, do that, and then complain about the result of
where we now find ourselves, which is now we have before us the
continuing resolution into December, which many of us wanted to avoid.
It was the logical outcome of the tactics chosen by a handful of my
colleagues.
I am proud of the Republican Conference. When we have been united
over the last 20 months, we have done some extraordinary things. We
have reopened the process with amendments in the appropriations
process. We have passed appropriations bills, which we hadn't been
doing for a while. We did pass a budget out of the Budget Committee. I
wish we had brought it to the floor. We did pass H.R. 2, one of the
strongest border security measures we have ever passed. It was
vehemently opposed by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle
while they hide behind legislation that had no chance of passing out of
the Senate.
We passed strong National Defense Authorization Acts. We were able to
[[Page H5790]]
get real reforms, real changes in terms of policies through the
National Defense Authorization Act, pulling back on DEI, pulling back
on the excessive climate policies of this administration because we
went through that amendment process both for appropriations and the
NDAA.
I am proud of those things.
I am proud of passing a strong ICC sanction bill to go after the
International Criminal Court that is trying to go after and make a war
criminal out of our friend Prime Minister Netanyahu who came and
addressed this Chamber. The Vice President of the United States
wouldn't even come here to the Chamber and stand behind the Prime
Minister.
I am proud of doing that.
I am proud of standing alongside Israel. I am proud of my colleagues
coming together to do those things and fight for the American people
and ensure that nondefense spending stayed flat, defense spending went
up, but it was paid for.
I am proud of culling back on the IRS.
We have done a lot of good things when we were united and when we
have done it.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are committed to
spending money we don't have. My colleagues on the other side of the
aisle are committed to wide-open borders, endangering the American
people. They are committed to wide-open borders and allowing
noncitizens to vote, and they wouldn't even allow us to move the
legislation on the appropriations bills to try to make sure we solved
that problem.
Chuck Schumer has a bill right now, the SAVE Act, that he won't bring
to the floor of the Senate. That is a choice.
My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are for open borders,
spending money we don't have, watering down our national defense with
woke priorities, DEI, and critical race theory. That is all true.
I am proud of the debate being had on this side of the aisle,
sometimes with strong disagreement, but we are, in fact, each one-four
hundred and thirty-fifth of one-half of one-third of this Federal
Government, so we have to figure out how to come here and figure out
how to work together to get this done.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I just want to ask my colleagues to please support this continuing
resolution. We have an obligation in this Chamber to rule, to govern,
to say to the American people that we are here on your behalf, you sent
us here, and you put your faith and your trust in us.
The legislative process is not one where one gets everything that
they want. It is about compromise. It is about coming together to
recognize that we do have this obligation and this responsibility. It
would be nice to say that I didn't get what I wanted, so I am going to
take the ball and go home. That is not the responsible thing to do.
This continuing resolution, as I said in my remarks, is a somber
document. It achieves some goals. There are some areas that have not
been covered that need to be covered, like disaster relief, like the
$12 billion shortfall for veterans. We have a process to undertake as
we move forward, and that is hammering out the 12 appropriations bills
which fund the U.S. Government. That is our responsibility.
If we do not do this today, the government shuts down. We don't
suffer. We continue to get our paychecks. Maybe if there was a threat
of a furlough for Members of Congress, the outcome might be different.
There are men and women out there who serve this country whose
economic stability is in jeopardy, and we hold that in our hands.
We say ``yes'' today, not because it is everything that we wanted,
but ``yes'' to continue a process that gets us to fund the goods and
the services of the American people. That is what they expect us to do.
They expect us to govern. That is what this bill is about today.
Again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I would like to begin just with a quick personal reflection and tell
both my colleagues what an honor it is to share this floor with them
today, and I mean that quite sincerely. These are two of the most
principled people that we have in Congress.
They don't always agree with one another. We don't always agree with
one another, but I have had the privilege of serving with my good
friend, Ms. DeLauro, the distinguished ranking member on the
Appropriations Committee for many years. There is nobody that I like to
debate with, bargain with, and eventually come to an agreement with
more than my friend.
I have had the great privilege of serving with Mr. Roy on the Rules
Committee in this Congress, and I have enjoyed every minute of it,
quite frankly, because like my friend on the other side of the aisle,
he approaches things with a great deal of passion and a great deal of
care and always enriches the debate.
It is true that my friend, Mr. Roy, and I have worked on a lot of
stuff together. We are on the same side more times than not. I was very
proud to work with him last week when we tried to submit a little bit
longer CR and tried to get the SAVE Act done. I liked the short one,
but I could accept the compromise that the Speaker offered to get the
SAVE Act. We didn't quite get that done. Frankly, I have often worked
with my friend, and I think he is right on the spending issues.
I am proud of this Congress because we have pulled that back. There
is no American Rescue Plan coming out of this Congress thanks to the
Republicans. There is no Inflation Reduction Act coming out of this
Congress because we are in the majority in the House. Frankly, even
this year we did have the Fiscal Responsibility Act overall governing
our spending, but as my friend from Texas knows, there were ``side
deals.'' Those are not the law of the land. We literally were operating
by things that honestly many of our Members didn't know about.
My Democratic friends like to still talk about that, why aren't we
honoring that deal. Maybe we should have kept the guy that made the
deal, Speaker McCarthy, but the reality was it was not in law. We
appropriated to what was in the law. We lived that way, and I am proud
that we did that.
I am proud of the progress we made on the Appropriations Committee:
the fact that we got all the bills out of the committee when the Senate
has not, the fact that we got five of them constituting the great
majority of spending across the floor when the Senate has yet to do a
single bill. This committee, and frankly, this institution, is not the
reason why we face the challenge we face today.
Let's be honest, too, about the challenge we do face. It is a binary
choice. We are either going to shut the government down without
achieving anything by shutting it down or we are going to keep it open
and keep working on our problems, and frankly, give the American people
an opportunity in the election through their votes and their voice to
decide who is coming back here and who the President-elect is going to
be, and I suspect that will clarify a lot of the decisions in front of
us.
I agree with my friend from Connecticut. I am not for shutting down
the government. It is a disservice to the American people. We
inconvenience them. We endanger them.
Our responsibility, if we can't come to an agreement, is to still
keep the country safe, still keep it operating, and frankly, continue
to work on and allow the American people to intervene and tell us what
they want us to do.
Mr. Speaker, it is pretty clear to me the right thing to do is to
join together in a bipartisan sense, and later we hope in a bicameral
sense, and pass this bill. Let us keep the government open and
functioning, let the American people make a decision a few weeks from
today, and in return--and I agree with my friend from Connecticut, I
would like to finish our business before the end of the year. I don't
know if that is possible, but I agree very much the next President and
the next Congress should not be forced to do the work of this
administration and this Congress. They should be able to start--they
are going to have plenty of problems. They
[[Page H5791]]
are going to come here in a dangerous world. The President-elect is
going to create a budget, get their people in place, and rewrite the
tax code. Let's not throw a potential government shutdown in front of
them as well. That is more than enough to deal with.
Mr. Speaker, I sincerely urge the passage of this legislation, H.R.
9747, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Meuser). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9747.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________