This was a vote on final passage of legislation funding federal government programs and agencies for three weeks. This short-term government funding bill—known as a “continuing resolution” or “CR”—was intended to keep the federal government operating while negotiators from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, Democratic-controlled Senate, and Obama administration attempted to reach an agreement on a long-term budget measure.

The House had already passed a CR to fund the government through September 2011, the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. That measure, however, cut more than $60 billion from federal programs. The Senate, which was controlled by Democrats, rejected that CR. Thus, the House Republican leadership brought up this CR, which funded the government for three weeks. In addition, it cut $6 billion in federal expenditures—including funding for state law enforcement programs, the National Park Service, the Census Bureau, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) urged support for the CR, arguing it was fiscally responsible and essential to preventing the federal government from shutting down: “We've made it clear that a government shutdown is not an option, period. We will not allow this to happen on our watch. This bill funds the government for an additional 3 weeks, until April 8, maintaining the critical support the government provides to the American people and allowing for the necessary time to complete negotiations on a final long-term agreement for the remainder of this year. While funding the essential government agencies and programs, this CR makes $6 billion in spending cuts, trimming $2 billion for every week, to continue our efforts to rein in spending and put a dent in our massive and unsustainable deficit.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) oppose this CR: “Once again, the [Republican] majority is reading from a very familiar script that imposes budgetary pain on vulnerable communities that can least endure these budget cuts. For a third consecutive time now, the majority is presenting a temporary spending bill totaling $6 billion in spending cuts…to very meaningful programs. And once again, this CR does nothing to promote job creation. The majority pledged to develop jobs when they regained control of the House, but they continue to renege on their promise. It is important to emphasize that the proposed cuts will hit communities that can least afford these hits. The loss of $185 million in State and local law enforcement assistance …will further squeeze tight police budgets. With these cuts, communities will be struggling to find funding to support vital police functions.”

The House passed this CR by a vote of 271-158. Voting “yea” were 186 Republicans and 85 Democrats. 104 Democrats—including a majority of progressives—and 54 Republicans voted “nay.” As a result, the House passed legislation funding federal government programs and agencies for three weeks—and cutting $6 billion in federal expenditures, including funding for state law enforcement programs, the National Park Service, the Census Bureau, and the Environmental Protection Agency.