Washington Update: Federal Funding for FY 2018 Extended Until December 22 and APLU Urges Congress to Raise FY18 Spending Caps

Congress Passes Short-term CR
In advance of the December 8 expiration date on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 continuing resolution (CR) that funded the government since October 1, Congress last week passed a second FY 2018 CR to keep the federal government running until December 22. This stopgap measure is intended to give Congress more time to reach an agreement on the FY 2018 discretionary budget caps since the current caps are too low for Congress to complete the appropriations process. It is likely that Congress will need a third CR to provide additional time for appropriators to develop specific FY 2018 funding levels, should new discretionary budget caps be set.

APLU Urges Congress to Raise Budget Caps & Approve FY 2018 Funding
APLU President Peter McPherson sent Congressional leaders a letter urging an agreement to raise both the FY 2018 defense and non-defense discretionary spending caps at the same level. The letter details how raising the caps would enable passage and enactment of FY 2018 appropriations that provide needed funding increases for research and higher education.