Supplemental Spending Bill. A FY 1999 supplemental may be introduced shortly after Congress reconvenes. Other appropriations line items will include disaster relief and Iraq operations. There will be intense pressure this year to revisit the budget caps set in the 1997 Balanced Budget Agreement. Progress on the Social Security solvency issue is possible this year.
Incremental progress is indeed possible, although the numbers involved are quite large.
Related, authorizing legislation. Defense spending and education will loom high on the list on non-appropriations issues. The annual defense authorization will reflect current debates in Congress and the executive branch over the need for increased defense spending and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization comes up this year. Both parties see education as an important presidential campaign issue. People want better schools, better teachers, and financially accessible college education.