How to Operate Under a Continuing Resolution
Written by: Vera Medici
On September 1, 2021, Steve Butler kept 500 attendees on the edge of their seats as he guided them through a live 75-minute webinar, “Agency Operations in the Absence of Regular Appropriation Bills: The Do’s and Don’ts of Conducting Business During a Continuing Resolution.”
With their increasing frequency, knowing what to do and what not to do during a continuing resolution is more important than ever. Seasoned professionals and beginners alike gained a wealth of information about the evolution of the federal budget process and how employees should approach funding gaps when they arise. Butler addressed the following topics in the perspectives of agencies operating under regular appropriations, agencies operating under a continuing resolution, and agencies that have not received either their regular appropriations or a continuing resolution:
- Differentiating between a regular appropriation and a continuing resolution
- Identifying limitations and guidance when operating under a continuing resolution
- How to execute your continuing resolution and accomplish your mission
- How to avoid Antideficiency Act (ADA) violations
Mr. Butler illustrated these points through in-depth tables, statistics, and examples from his vast knowledge and experience. As he concluded, he stressed that the audience should take away several key ideas.
- Agency personnel look to financial management professionals to guide them during challenging times.
- It is crucial to know fiscal law and policies governing a continuing resolution or lapse in funding.
- If you don’t know an answer to continuing resolution issues and funding gaps, don’t guess! Instead, seek the assistance of a fiscal law expert.
Mr. Butler emphasized that education is the best way to position oneself for increasing responsibility and recommended, among others, the Management Concepts course Appropriations Law Seminar.
Attendees left the webinar giving Mr. Butler nothing but kudos and requests for future webinars. Are there other topics you would like to see covered in future webinars? Submit them here.
Missed the live presentation? Watch it on-demand here: Agency Operations in the Absence of Regular Appropriation Bills: The Do’s and Don’ts of Conducting Business During a Continuing Resolution
You may also wish to brush up on fiscal year-end spending by watching It’s Crunch Time! Appropriations Law and Year-End Spending presented in May 2021.
Presenter E. Steven Butler has been a financial management instructor for Management Concepts for more than a decade. His vast experience includes CFO positions at the Food Nutrition Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and facilities management at The Smithsonian Institution. In addition, he served as Director, Resource Management for the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command and was Director for Financial Reporting and Analysis for the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).
