Another Stopgap Spending Bill for FY 2011

Congress just passed another stopgap budget bill to fund the federal government for this fiscal year.  The measure – yet another continuing resolution (CR) – was signed into law by the President. It will be the sixth CR during this fiscal year and is set to expire on April 8, giving Congress another three weeks to reach a compromise on fiscal year 2011 funding.

Under the new CR, funding for education and early childhood programs remains the same. Spending reductions made under the CR that was set to expire today remain intact.  (See our last appropriations post for more on cuts included in the previous CR.) While there were no new cuts for education included the new CR, there is no guarantee that there won’t be further cuts.  Until Congress passes a fiscal year 2011 budget bill through September 30, the FY 2011 appropriation process will continue.  

Meanwhile, budget hearings for the fiscal year 2012 are well underway.

Read our sister blog, Ed Money Watch, for more on the fiscal year 2011 appropriations process.

And stay tuned to Early Ed Watch for what happens between next week and April 8.