Congress Adjourns with Unfinished Business
The appropriations process for fiscal year 2003, which began on October 1, 2002, is still not complete. Not having finished the appropriations process before adjourning, Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund all federal government programs at current levels until January 11, 2003. Any proposed increases or decreases in agency budgets for FY 2003 are on hold at least until early next year when the new Congress convenes. When the new session begins, congressional leaders and the White House may seek passage of a massive appropriations package, known as an omnibus bill, establishing annual funding levels for a broad array of federal programs. Meanwhile, the White House has begun to prepare its fiscal year 2004 budget request to Congress, which will be unveiled in February 2003.
