Appropriations Supplemental for FY1999: Emergency Funding in P.L. 105-277 for Agriculture, Embassy Security, Y2K Problems, Defense, and Other Issues (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Feb. 25, 1999 |
| Report Number |
RL30056 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Larry Nowels, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
During the final days of the 105th Congress, the House and Senate considered a series of
emergency
supplemental initiatives providing funds for American farmers affected by natural disasters and low
commodity prices, embassy security and counter-terrorism programs in the wake of the August
embassy bombings, year 2000 (Y2K) computer requirements, the costs of maintaining U.S. troops
in Bosnia, defense readiness, counter-narcotics interdiction initiatives, and domestic natural disaster
related needs.
Supplementals officially requested by the President totaled about $8.9 billion. Following the
addition of several new congressional initiatives, some of which were endorsed by the White House,
the final amount included in the omnibus supplemental appropriation measure ( P.L. 105-277 ;
H.R. 4328 ) climbed to $20.76 billion.
Congress initially considered the emergency farm relief aid separate from other supplemental
requests, adding $4.26 billion to the regular FY1999 Agriculture Appropriations bill
( H.R. 4101 ). President Clinton vetoed H.R. 4101 , however, on October
7 saying he regarded the amount of emergency agriculture spending as inadequate.
Congress considered the vetoed agriculture funding measure plus all remaining supplemental
spending packages as part of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 1999 ( H.R. 4328 ), that includes eight regular appropriation bills
and other legislative initiatives. Congress cleared the measure and the President signed
H.R. 4328 on October 21.
All supplementals, with the exception of the $1 billion defense readiness request, were
designated by the President as "emergency" spending, which under the 1985 Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act means that if Congress agrees, the costs would not require
corresponding reductions in existing expenditures.
Some Members, however, challenged the "emergency" status, arguing that the entire amount
should be offset by the cancellation of previously enacted funds. As passed, all but about $100
million of the $20.76 billion supplemental is designated as an "emergency." Congress included one
offset in the bill a $67 million rescission of DOD fuel costs.
As signed into law, the omnibus spending measure included $5.9 billion for agriculture disaster
relief; $2.44 billion for antiterrorism and embassy security; $3.35 billion for Y2K conversion costs;
$1.44 billion for domestic natural disasters; $943 million for counter-drug and interdiction activities;
$6.59 billion for military readiness, troops in Bosnia, and other national defense needs; and $103
million for other emergencies.
