Conference on DOE Appropriations Bill Postponed

The conference committee meeting on the Energy-Water appropriations bill (H.R. 3183) that was scheduled for this afternoon was postponed for unspecified reasons, according to Congress Daily (subscription required). A new date was not set, but could be as early as tomorrow (Wednesday). The DOE bill includes a critical provision related to production of the plutonium-238 fuel that NASA needs for its robotic planetary spacecraft.

Senate consideration of the Legislative Branch appropriations bill (H.R. 2918), which includes the Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating after midnight tomorrow, was not taken up today and is expected to be considered on the Senate floor tomorrow.