H.R.1974 - Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1974, the "Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2025," is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on March 10, 2025. It aims to provide further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, and includes extensions for various programs and matters. The bill is divided into two divisions: Division A focuses on further continuing appropriations, while Division B addresses extensions and other related issues.
Division A amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025, by adjusting dates and allocating specific funding amounts for the Department of Defense, particularly for shipbuilding and conversion programs. It also provides additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund and the Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation.
Division B extends several health-related programs, including community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, special diabetes programs, and Medicare provisions. It also includes extensions for other programs, such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission whistleblower program and protections for certain facilities from unmanned aircraft.
Expected Effects
This bill will primarily result in the temporary continuation of funding for various government programs and services. It averts a potential government shutdown by extending the current continuing resolution. The extensions provided in Division B ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical health and other services for a short period.
Specifically, the bill allows for continued funding of defense programs, disaster relief, and healthcare services. It also provides a temporary extension for programs related to public health, Medicare, and human services. The short-term nature of the extensions suggests that further legislative action will be needed to address long-term funding solutions.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures continued funding for critical government services, preventing disruptions.
- Provides additional funding for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, supporting disaster recovery efforts.
- Extends healthcare programs, maintaining access to care for vulnerable populations.
- Supports defense programs and shipbuilding, contributing to national security.
- Offers financial relief to Ashley Paige Turner, beneficiary of the late Representative Sylvester Turner.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The short-term nature of the extensions creates uncertainty and requires frequent legislative action.
- Continued reliance on continuing resolutions can hinder long-term planning and efficient resource allocation.
- The bill's budgetary effects are excluded from PAYGO scorecards, potentially obscuring its impact on the national debt.
- Specific allocations within the bill may not fully address the needs of all programs and agencies.
- The bill does not address underlying issues or provide long-term solutions for the programs it extends.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
H.R. 1974 aligns with the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, pay debts, and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The appropriations made in the bill fall under these enumerated powers.
The bill's provisions for disaster relief and healthcare also align with the general welfare clause. The extensions of various programs are within Congress's legislative authority.
However, the repeated use of continuing resolutions and short-term extensions could be argued as undermining the principle of regular order and comprehensive budgeting, which are implicit in the structure of Article I.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).