House passes two-year budget agreement

The House of Representatives today passed 284-149 a two-year budget agreement (H.R. 3877) that increases discretionary funding limits and suspends the debt limit for two years, through July 31, 2021. Without congressional action, statutory caps on discretionary funding would have forced an 11% cut to defense and 9% cut to nondefense discretionary programs for 2020 relative to 2019. The package is partially offset, including with a two-year extension of mandatory sequestration. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation next week.