Appropriations for FY2004: VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies

Publication Date: August 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Banking and finance; Government

Type:

Abstract:

The House has passed H.R. 2861, FY2004 appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several Independent Agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The bill, popularly referred to as “VA-HUD,” approves $122.7 billion in appropriations, comprised of $32.7 billion in mandatory spending (mostly for VA cash entitlements), and $90 billion in discretionary funds for other programs covered by the bill. The Administration requested a total of $126 billion for programs funded through the VA-HUD bill, including $89.4 billion in new, discretionary funds.