Coretec Group Inc (CRTG)

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Still unresolved FY2015 Federal budget issues:

http://www.defensecommunities.org/headlines/if-congress-opts-for-spending-omnibus-compromise-over-individual-bills-attainable/#

"If Congress Opts for Spending Omnibus, Compromise over Individual Bills Attainable

Lawmakers will only have a narrow window when they return to Capitol Hill next month to decide whether to aim for a massive year-end fiscal 2015 spending package or settle for a short- or long-term continuing resolution (CR), but if they opt for the omnibus, overcoming differences between the two chamber’s individual spending bills should not be particularly arduous, according to an analysis by CQ.

Differences between the House and Senate versions for many of the spending bills are no more than $1.5 billion or less. The House and Senate proposals for defense appropriations are only $1.3 billion apart, while competing versions of the military construction-veterans affairs measure are only $400 million apart. The two chambers agreed on the military construction component of the bill, with both versions allocating $6.6 billion for milcon and family housing programs. The figure represents a significant $3.25 billion decline from FY 2014, which the administration requested to direct more funds into military operations and readiness.

Both the defense and milcon spending measures almost certainly would be included in an omnibus package if congressional leaders pick that route.

The lack of major differences between the two chambers follows last December’s budget deal, which set topline spending levels for defense and non-defense accounts in FY 2014 and 2015. The overall federal budget is slated to remain almost flat, with the $1.014 trillion topline for FY 2015 less than $2 billion higher than last year.

House and Senate appropriators are eager to begin work creating compromise versions of each spending bill, but that will require agreement by the two parties’ leaders. If Republicans gain control of the Senate, the party may attempt to extend the existing CR into the next Congress — providing an opportunity to rewrite bills to reflect GOP priorities — or pass a full-year CR for all agencies for FY 2015, according to the story.

One sticking point if Congress tries to pass an omnibus, will be deciding on funding for DOD’s overseas contingency operations account. That determination will be complicated by the need to fund military assistance to combat Ebola in West Africa, the campaign against the Islamic State and an uncertain troop presence in Afghanistan."