If your answer is "October 1" you get a half-point for being technically correct.
What else happens on October 1?
The new fiscal year, 2008, begins on October 1. And which agencies have received their appropriations for the new fiscal year?
Anyone? Bueller?
None. Not a one.
And what event eclipsed this little piece of news? The GOP-drafted amendment expressing support for Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
The House approved a continuing resolution Wednesday to keep federal agencies operating at current levels until Nov. 16. The Senate voted Thursday to approve the same. Bush received the bill today for his signature. I assume this is one bill he'll have no problem signing.
The House passed all 12 bills, but the Senate has approved only four. When the Senate finishes voting on the other 8 bills, then they all have to go into conference before becoming law. Here is the scorecard.
Until then, all government agencies will be operating at the same funding levels as they did in FY06--with the exception of DoD and DHS, which will be operating at FY07 funding levels. (See What is a Continuing Resolution?)
My spouse is a financial manager in one of the agencies that did not receive an appropriation in FY07. So while Congress is busy passing resolutions and non-binding resolutions, it's time Congress got down to doing some real business.
Keeping the government open for business would be a good start.