Bush signs continuing resolution

President Bush signed a continuing resolution today that Congress passed late Dec. 13. The resolution extends agencies funding until Dec. 21.

“I hope that Congress will use the additional time productively,” Bush said after a meeting with his Cabinet. He urged lawmakers to pass a clean spending package at his proposed spending levels. He has already issued veto threats on appropriations bills that are higher than his spending proposals. He also said the package should not include language that changes policies, and it should include funding for troops.

“It would be disappointing if members of Congress did not finish their work by the holidays,” Bush said. But if they can’t, he said they should pass a one-year continuing resolution and not carry 2007 business into 2008.

The Senate passed the resolution Dec. 13 by voice vote, and the House passed it 385 to 27. The amended resolution would have expired today.

With the amended resolution, government work will continue until Dec. 21 at fiscal 2007 spending levels.

This is the third continuing resolution already in 2008. Congress and the White House have pushed back and forth over spending bills. Congress has considered an omnibus appropriations bill, and President Bush has threatened to veto any such measure.

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