The government shutdown ended Jan. 22, with the passage of a continuing resolution to extend funding for federal operations at FY17 levels through Feb. 8. The measure passed after a three-day impasse among Senate leadership centered around addressing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which will likely dominate negotiations in the weeks ahead. The continuing resolution includes language to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years, coming after more than three months of stymied legislative action since the program funding expired on Sept. 30. Your ACC worked with members of Congress and other stakeholders over the past year to ensure that stable long-term funding for CHIP remained a top priority. The College sent a letter (PDF) directly to Senate leadership asking for full reauthorization of the program and signed a coalition letter (PDF) urging enactment of a long-term extension.

This spending bill is the latest in a series of continuing resolutions for FY18; lawmakers must resolve differences on a budget deal to move forward with year-long funding levels. As debates on spending caps and immigration are ongoing, and future legislative action beyond Feb. 8 is uncertain. Your ACC will keep you apprised of future developments with FY18 appropriations and other health care issues.

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Negotiating, Emigration and Immigration, Budgets, Government

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