Legislative Update: Congress Extends ARC Funding, Authorization through November 17, 2006 September 2006

On September 29, 2006, Congress completed action on legislation providing funding for ARC through November 17. The measure provides funding at the annual rate of $35.5 million, the amount contained in the appropriations bill passed by the House in May. The legislation also includes a provision that expressly extends ARC's authorization through November 17. Congress is expected to consider appropriations for the remainder of the fiscal year when it reconvenes in November.

The Senate's version of the ARC reauthorization legislation, passed in July, received a majority vote in the House in late September. However, it failed to get the two-thirds vote required for passage under the expedited procedures by which the bill was considered. Congressional leaders expect to continue working on ARC reauthorization in November.