Appropriations bills are usually brought to the floor under open rules, which means that members are allowed to offer any relevant (germane) amendments at the appropriate time.  I am pleased that the current Republican majority has restored this tradition.  For many Members of Congress, 2011 marked the first time they had ever had an opportunity to offer an amendment to an appropriations bill, allowing the voices of those they represent to be heard in Congress.

The Appropriations Subcommittees held a number of oversight hearings on the President’s FY2016 Budget Request. In 2015, all twelve bills were passed through committee and six bills were passed on the House Floor. Currently, H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations funds the government through September 30, 2016. Currently, Congress is considering appropriation bills for FY2017.