As Congress and the Biden administration have yet to pass a budget deal for fiscal year (FY) 2023, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is asking Congress to pass a continuing resolution (CR) funding bill before the current fiscal year ends on September 30.
In a September 2 blog post, OMB Director Shalanda Young said she’s confident that Congress will come to a funding agreement, but the short-term CR bill will be necessary to provide the time needed to reach an agreement on full-year funding bills.
“Today, as part of our prudent planning for the end of the fiscal year, we are providing technical assistance to Congress on a short-term CR,” Young wrote. “This package of technical assistance [guides] lawmakers on funding and legislative adjustments that are necessary to avoid disruptions to a range of important public services.”
As part of the CR, the White House is requesting $47.1 billion for four main priorities: $13.7 billion for support for Ukraine, $22.4 billion for COVID-19, $4.5 billion for monkeypox, and $6.5 billion for natural disaster recovery.
The Biden administration has previously called on Congress to provide additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts but has yet to have success. Additionally, the administration ended its free at-home COVID-19 test program on September 2, citing a lack of congressional funding.
The administration has made COVID-19, Ukraine, monkeypox, and natural disaster recovery its four main priorities for the CR, which Young said is necessary to keep the Federal government running.
As always, Young also said the Biden administration understands that Congress will be considering additional legislation for the CR.
“This administration will continue to work with members of both parties in Congress to meet these critical needs for the American people, and we look forward to reaching a bipartisan funding agreement that advances national priorities in the coming fiscal year,” Young said.
