The federal government is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution (CR) passed last December that extends funding for most federal agencies, programs, and services through April 27, 2017, while maintaining the current budget cap level of $1.07 trillion put into place under the Budget Control Act of 2011. The CR contained additional Overseas Contingency Funding (OCO) of $5.8 billion for the Defense Department, as well as 44.1 billion in disaster relief funding, $170 million to address the infrastructure and health needs of communities affected by contaminated drinking water, and $872 million for the 21st Century Cures Act to boost medical research, drug approval, and drug abuse efforts.

Looking ahead to 2017, the 115th Congress and new Trump Administration will have to tackle a number of spending and budgetary challenges including...