Short-term CR released

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) this evening introduced a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded until April 28, 2017 that features money for Overseas Contingency Operations, the Ohio-class Submarine Replacement Program, military helicopters, the KC-46 airborne refueling tanker and more.

In a statement, Rogers said:

This Continuing Resolution is the necessary step for an operating and functioning government over the next four months. However, this type of short-term spending absolutely should not be the final answer to funding the federal government for the year. It is imperative that Congress complete its work on the remaining 11 Appropriations bills to ensure the proper and responsible use of tax dollars, to provide necessary resources for important programs and services, and to hold federal agencies accountable to the American people.

This legislation is just a band aid, but a critical one. It will give the next Congress the time to complete the annual Appropriations process, and in the meantime, take care of immediate national funding needs.

Some highlights from the bill summary:

Overseas Contingency Funding (OCO) – The bill contains $5.8 billion for the Department of Defense and $4.3 billion for the State Department/USAID to support military and diplomatic efforts to fight ISIS and terror around the globe, to provide essential resources that will ensure our national security, and to increase the readiness of our troops. Including increases in base discretionary spending, the Defense level in the bill is $8 billion above the rate in the current Continuing Resolution. . . .

* A provision allowing funding to be used for the Ohio Class Submarine Replacement program to avoid delays that would increase costs.

* A provision allowing funding to be used for Apache Attack Helicopter and Black Hawk Helicopter multiyear procurements to avoid delays that would increase costs.

* A provision allowing funding to be used for the KC-46A Tanker program to avoid delays that would increase costs.

* A provision allowing funds to be used for critical nuclear weapons activities.

* A provision allowing funds to be used to continue Homeland Security operations, including border security, immigration enforcement, aviation security, and the protection of the President-elect. . . .

* A provision allowing funds for the Joint Polar Satellite System programs, ensuring the continuation of data for weather warnings, including forecasts of severe weather events.