Summary: The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013

U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Press Release

March 11, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Appropriations Committee released highlights of legislation to fund the federal government through September 30, 2013. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013 includes separate divisions for the Fiscal Year 2013 Agriculture; Commerce, Justice and Science; Defense; Homeland Security; and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Acts.

The Mikulski-Shelby substitute amendment provides $1.043 trillion in budget authority, consistent with the Budget Control Act of 2011.

Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) issued the following statement:

“We must prevent a government shutdown,” said Chairwoman Mikulski. “My Vice Chairman, Senator Shelby, and I worked together on this bipartisan agreement that avoids a shutdown, complies with the Budget Control Act, improves the House CR for many critical priorities, and lets us wrap up fiscal year 2013 so we can get to next year’s budget and find a balanced solution to sequester.”

Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) issued the following statement:

“Chairwoman Mikulski and I began this process with three shared goals: first, to prevent a government shutdown; second, to provide as much flexibility as possible for the remainder of this fiscal year; and third, to produce a bill that both parties in both houses can support,” said Vice Chairman Shelby. “I believe that we have achieved all three goals. At a time when many doubt whether Congress can accomplish anything at all, this agreement is a very clear demonstration of our commitment to work together.”

Text of the Substitute Amendment is here.               

Text of the Explanatory Statement is here.

Click here for summaries of the five bills included in the substitute amendment, as well as a list of anomalies, broken out by subcommittee.