Legislative Update: Senate Approves FY 2015 Omnibus Spending Bill December 2014

On December 13, 2014, the U.S. Senate approved an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R.83–Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015) providing funding for most government agencies, including ARC, through September 30. The legislation was approved by the House of Representatives on December 11.

The bill contains $90 million for ARC's nonhighway programs, including $10 million to continue a program of high-speed broadband deployment in economically distressed counties in Central Appalachia that have been most negatively impacted by the downturn in the coal industry. It also includes $10 million for a workforce development program benefitting distressed counties in Southern Appalachia that focuses primarily on the automotive sector. Approximately $70 million is available for ARC's regular programs, roughly the same amount that was available in FY 2014.

The bill will now go to President Obama for his approval.