APLU Expresses Deep Concerns with New Fiscal Year 2018 Continuing Resolution Introduced in House

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Peter McPherson today issued the following statement regarding the continuing resolution (CR) that the U.S. House of Representatives released yesterday, which would fund defense programs for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2018 at above-budget-caps levels while flat-funding non-defense discretionary spending through January 19, 2018.

“The short-term continuing resolution (CR) unveiled in the House would deal serious setbacks to funding for cutting-edge research that leads to new cures and treatments as well as new innovative technologies that drive the economy forward. It would also choke funding for well-established programs that make college more affordable for those most in need. By flat funding non-defense discretionary programs for a month while providing significant boosts to defense programs for the remainder of the fiscal year, the House proposal would create a dramatically uneven dynamic that unnecessarily threatens vital investments in research and the nation’s workforce. The proposal is unfair and misguided.

“As I noted in a letter to lawmakers last week, raising both defense and non-defense budget caps and approving FY2018 funding is key to driving rapid economic growth, improving the nation’s health, and increasing national security. We urge Congress to come together on a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to increase both the defense and non-defense discretionary caps so lawmakers can complete their work on FY2018 appropriations in a way that benefits our entire nation.”