House Delays Consideration of Ag-FDA Appropriations Bill

This week, the House was scheduled to consider the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (Milcon-VA) appropriations bill as well as the Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration (Ag-FDA) appropriations bill for FY2024. Although the House, in one of the last votes before recess, was able to pass the Milcon-VA bill on a close 219-211 vote, with two Republicans voting with every Democrat against the bill, consideration of Ag-FDA appropriations has been delayed. The Milcon-VA bill is the first FY2024 appropriations bill to be passed by either complete chamber. Earlier in the week, the Rules Committee had met but did not report out a rule for floor consideration of the Ag-FDA bill. The appropriations bills for FY2023 expire at the end of September. Future consideration of the Ag-FDA appropriations bill is expected in September. Both the House and Senate are scheduled to be on recess throughout the entire month of August.