A government shutdown was averted when Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) last week to keep federal programs and agencies in operation until Dec. 9. The aging network was watching closely, in hopes that Older Americans Act funding would not be interrupted, as happened in 2013. The CR passed the House of Representatives with a 342-85 vote, and cleared the Senate with a 72-26 vote. President Obama promptly signed the bill. Congress plans to return for a lame duck session after the election and will need to pass another budget for the rest of the 2017 fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2017.

While aid to Flint is not in the CR, a promise by Republican leaders to include it in a different bill satisfied enough Democrats to allow the CR to pass in both chambers. Nevertheless, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-Flint) voted against the CR, because it lacked speedy funding for Flint while helping other communities. Also voting no were Reps. Justin Amash (R-Grand Rapids), John Conyers (D-Detroit), Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield), and Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak). Kildee personally negotiated a deal with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) to include $170 million in Flint aid in the House version of the Water Resources Development Act. Since the Senate has already agreed to a similar provision in its version of the bill, it appears likely that Congress will eventually bless the funding in the lame duck session after the election.

Michigan's aging veterans will enjoy new housing facilities if Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) has his way. Pscholka wants to move a package of bills yet this year that would create a Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority and begin the process of planning new facilities across the state. Workgroup recommendations led to the introduction of House Bills 5919, 5920, 5921 and 5922. Phase one would rebuild the existing Grand Rapids veterans' facility and building a new facility in metro Detroit.  The homes would be certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and subject to federal requirements. Attractive salary and benefit packages would create a positive work environment and reduce employee turnover. The state is required to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by April 15, 2017 to obtain grant monies for 65% of the building costs. The workgroup also recommends building a supportive community around facilities, as well as helping veterans who want to age in their own homes to access the services they need.