Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2008

The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R.2638) was a continuing resolution in the 110th Congress approved in September, 2008.

Current status


Bill summary
A continuing resolution (CR) is a measure enacted by Congress to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs until regular appropriations acts are enacted.

The FY 2009 continuing resolution was a measure designed to allow Congressional leaders to work around the 2008 presidential election and deflect spending fights with President Bush during his last months in office. Foreseeing a repeat of budget fights over FY 2007 and FY 2008, the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate chose not to pursue several appropriations bills leading up to the 2008 summer recess. The only appropriations bill sent to President Bush for his signature was the 2008 Defense authorization bill.

The legislation also excluded a congressional moratorium on offshore oil exploration. The ban was first implemented in Congress in 1981, and prohibited drilling within 200 miles of coastal states' shorelines.

The continuing resolution funded the federal government through March 6, 2009.

House


Senate
Senate roll call

Relatesd Sourcewatch articles

 * FY 2009 U.S. federal budget
 * Continuing resolution of 2007

External recources

 * Explanatory statements on Thomas:
 * Part 1
 * Part 2
 * Part 3
 * Senate Glossary: What is a continuing resolution?