Legislative Update: ARC’s Funding, Authorization Extended through Mid February 2007 December 2006

On December 9, 2006, Congress approved a continuing resolution providing funding for ARC and extending its authorization through February 15, 2007. The legislation provides $35.5 million in funding for ARC’s nonhighway program, the amount contained in the U.S. House of Representatives’ energy and water development appropriations bill passed in May. President Bush's budget for fiscal year (FY) 2007 requested funding of $65 million, level with ARC's FY 2006 funding. Congress will reconvene on January 4 and is expected to work on a year-long continuing resolution that will run through the end of FY 2007.