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What happens to the appropriations process now?

Congress is in an extended recess period amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Congress is in an extended recess period amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)

With COVID-19 legislation taking up all the oxygen on Capitol Hill and lawmakers largely out of town during April, typical appropriations routines have been put on hold. Budget tracker David Lerman and budget and appropriations reporter Jennifer Shutt explain where normal business stands and what could happen as the pandemic continues — especially with another stimulus bill in the works.

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