Recess: Both chambers of Congress are out this week and will be back in session early next week.
FY 2017 Budget: After multiple meetings concerning the FY 2017 Budget, House Republicans have not made much progress to resolve their differences over the budget. House Freedom Caucus members, among the most conservative in the Republican party, still want to attach so-called “sidecar” legislation to the budget that would require $30 billion in mandatory entitlement cuts. Many Republicans, including leaders in the House, oppose the $30 billion in cuts, which has caused an impasse.
Despite the impasse, after May 15, the House can begin to vote on the 12 FY 2017 appropriations bills without a budget resolution in place. Appropriations Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) has said that it looks settled that appropriations bills will come to the floor after May 15 and expects his bill—the bill that sets funding for WIC—to come third or fourth in the order.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization: The House Education and the Workforce Committee, chaired by Congressman John Kline (R-MN), did not ultimately mark up their Child Nutrition bill last week. The Committee is expected to markup sometime next week, when the House returns from recess. Please see our brief analysis of the bill here.
The National WIC Association will be providing an opportunity next week for you to tell Congress to oppose this bill, in anticipation of the markup. Be on the lookout for more details about how you can make your voice heard on this issue.