Congressional Research Services Summary:
Shown Here:
Passed House (02/08/2022)

Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act

This bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations for federal agencies and extends several expiring authorities.

Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2022 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of March 11, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act.

It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2022 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on February 18, 2022.

The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2021 levels with several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. For example, the CR includes provisions that address

• the President’s authority to draw down defense articles and services to respond to unforeseen emergencies,
• procurement of the Columbia-class submarine,
• the Department of Defense’s response to the contamination of drinking water near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii, and
• the Department of the Interior’s implementation of enterprise cybersecurity safeguards.

The bill also extends several expiring authorities, including

• the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to make certain appointments for the National Disaster Medical System,
• the special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 on nonindigent people or entities convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., sexual abuse and trafficking),
• the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and
• the current Medicaid federal matching rate (also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage or FMAP) for certain territories.

Freedom First Society Analysis:  No one should seek to shut down the government, but responsible reps should insist on accompanying plans to return to constitutionally authorized government to get their vote.  Instead, no mention of the Constitution is made during the debate — just business as usual. If enough reps would refuse such business as usual there would be enough to begin the rollback that might justify a future CR. But major changes in Congress and pressure from an informed, determined electorate would be necessary for that to happen.

A few excerpts from the “debate” recorded in the Congressional Record are instructive:

From the Congressional Record (2-8-22):

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3). Sponsor and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act, which continues funding for Federal programs and services through March 11. I would have preferred to come before the House to pass a fiscal 2022 omnibus, but I believe we are very close to an agreement and I am eager to move this process forward.

“I have every expectation that we can finalize a framework in short order and then work together to fill in the details and enact an omnibus….

“An omnibus bill will confront the climate crisis by supporting environmental protection, land conservation, and clean energy development. It will protect our national security and restore America’s place in the world….

“Of great importance to the people we represent, an omnibus would enact Community Project Funding that both Republicans and Democrats requested for their districts, with strong community support….

“Once we have a framework, I am confident that appropriators will work with great intensity to fill in the details so that we can enact an agreement that is worthy of the American people.

“To provide the time to get that done, the Further Additional Extending Government Funding Act continues government funding at current levels through March 11.” [FFS:  Here, DeLauro provides an excellent example of articulating the collectivist propaganda that government drives all progress, which is used to advance federal spending.]

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12 ), Speaker of the House:
“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the CR that will keep government open, meet the needs of the American people, and honor the values of our Nation.  “This short-term measure will ensure that we have the time we need to finalize negotiations on a strong, bipartisan omnibus to fund the government through the end of the year.”  [FFS: It’s too bad that Congress can’t pass 12 individual appropriations bills (regular order) on time, because of the need to negotiate mammoth government spending, with our national debt now over $30 trillion.]

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12),  Ranking (GOP) Member of the House Appropriations Committee:
“No one wants to have a CR, but the alternative is much worse. If we don’t pass a CR by next week, we could have an unnecessary and costly government shutdown. I think both sides agree that would be disastrous, especially for our national security.  “This bill keeps the government open for another 3 weeks and ensures the continuation of basic Federal responsibilities, such as national defense, border security, and care for our veterans.” [FFS: There is no leadership here from the GOP side recognizing that a turnaround is necessary to prevent an  emerging totalitarian government and American slavery.]