Senate Passes Continuing Resolution

Congress departed from Washington, D.C., for its pre-election recess and will return on Nov. 15. Before parting, the Senate on Wednesday approved stop-gap spending legislation by a vote of 69-30 that will fund the federal government through Dec. 3 at fiscal 2010 levels for most programs. The House, on Thursday morning, voted 228-194 to also approve the continuing resolution.

A continuing resolution maintains the funding for federal agencies and programs if the fiscal year ends without a new appropriation in place. Currently, none of the appropriations bills that fund the government have been approved by Congress. Therefore, full funding of $200 million for the Market Access Program and $34.5 million for the Foreign Market Development Program as authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill will be continued. These are programs that are utilized by the American Sheep Industry Association in marketing and promoting wool globally.

The legislation now goes to the President for his signature.