House Announces Schedule for Considering FY21 Appropriations Bills

Late last week, House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Lowey (D-NY) issued a letter to colleagues outlining a schedule for considering Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 spending bills.

Typically, the spring is appropriations “season” – with appropriators hearing from Department officials, stakeholder organizations, and constituents during March and April and bill consideration in the late spring and early summer. The pandemic forced Congress to put aside many pressing pieces of legislation this spring as they struggled to respond to COVID-19. However, pressure is mounting on appropriations; Congress must act on funding for FY 2021 before the first day of the fiscal year, October 1.

Lowey’s letter notes that bill markups are scheduled during the weeks of July 6 and July 13 and floor votes as soon as the weeks of July 20 and July 27. The specific order of bills – including the bill that funds public education – and other key details are scheduled to be announced later this month.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) has previously stated his intention to begin marking up appropriations bills at the end of June.

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