October 5, 2018

The 2019 fiscal year (FY) started on October 1 with some federal agencies, including NSF, operating under a continuing resolution (CR). The House and Senate passed an $854 billion appropriations package (H.R. 6157), bundling two regular spending bills -- the Department of Defense Appropriations Act and the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act -- and a CR for agencies whose regular appropriations had not been passed. The CR extends current funding levels for those agencies through December 7. The President signed the bill on Sept. 28, 2018. The House has adjourned, with members not expected to return until after the midterm elections. The Senate is expected to remain in session to act on the Kavanaugh nomination.

In other news, the House unanimously passed H.R. 6227, the National Quantum Initiative Act, on September 13. Introduced by House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), the bill would create a 10-year federal program to advance quantum science development and technology applications in the U.S. Among other things, the measure authorizes basic research by NSF and the Department of Energy, establishes NSF multi-disciplinary quantum research and education centers, and establishes an office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for interagency coordination. The bill now awaits action by the Senate where similar legislation has been introduced.

For details on FY 2019 appropriations, see Congressional Highlights - 115th Congress, Second Session.

For tools and resources about the impact on NSF's investments, please see the NSF Toolkit.

A special website for NSF Days is now available.

OTHER NSF & CONGRESS INFORMATION

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