Last Tuesday the Senate approved on a vote of 75-19 a $605.5 billion appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for fiscal year 2008.  The bill includes $152 billion in discretionary spending, about five percent more than the current year, and about $11 billion more than the President's request.

Like the House bill, WIA adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs would be level-funded.  However, the House bill contains a rescission of $335 million in current funding.  Such differences will need to be worked out in conference for a compromise bill that is expected to go for another vote in the House and Senate this week before being sent to the President, who is expected to veto the bill. While it appears there is enough Senate support to override a veto, Republicans may be able to sustain a veto in the House.

The Senate has now passed seven of the twelve appropriations bills; the House has passed all.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has indicated that the remaining five probably will not be considered on the House floor separately. With a continuing resolution due to expire on November 16^th, it is likely that Congress will need to pass another continuing resolution before a Thanksgiving recess, since prospects seem dim for final adjournment on November 16^th.    

Members may also craft one or more omnibus bills combining individual spending bills in order to finally resolve FY 2008 appropriations. Democrats may combine defense spending and domestic spending into an omnibus bill in order to gain leverage for passage of their domestic spending priorities.