Congress Concludes 114th Session, Renews Government Funding

On Friday, December 9, Congress passed a government funding bill, concluding the legislative business of the 114th Congress. 

Despite opposition from Democratic Senators regarding health benefits for coal miners, the bill passed the Senate 63-36.  The government funding bill will keep federal agencies funded through April 28, and freezes spending at current levels.  The House of Representatives passed the legislation earlier in the week.  President Obama signed the bill into law Friday evening. 

Lawmakers have now returned home to their Congressional districts.  On January 3, 2017 newly elected and re-elected lawmakers return to Washington, DC for their swearing-in and the start of the 115th Congress.