Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes.
Public Law 104-69 · H.J.Res. 136 · 104th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Dec 22, 1995 · Economics and Public Finance
Sponsor: Rep. Robert Livingston (R-LA-1)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Foster
Care and Adoption Assistance
Title II: District of Columbia
Title III: Veterans Affairs
Title I: Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Foster Care and Adoption Assistance - Makes continuing appropriations for FY 1996, at a level that is to be no more than the current level, for the following: (1) all projects and activities funded under the account heading "Family support payment to States" (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) under the Administration For Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services; (2) all projects and activities funded under the account heading "Payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance" (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) under the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services; and (3) all administrative activities necessary to carry out the above projects and activities.
(Sec. 106) Makes appropriations in this title available, unless otherwise provided for in this title or an applicable appropriations Act, until the first of the following events: (1) enactment of an appropriation for any project or activity of this title; (2) enactment of the applicable appropriations Act without any provision for such project or activity; or (3) January 3, 1996.
Title II: District of Columbia - Makes continuing appropriations for FY 1996, at a level that is to be no more than the current level, for the District of Columbia.
(Sec. 206) Makes appropriations in this title available, unless otherwise provided for in this title or an applicable appropriations Act, until the first of the following events: (1) enactment of an appropriation for any project or activity of this title; (2) enactment of the applicable appropriations Act without any provision for such project or activity; or (3) January 3, 1996.
(Sec. 211) Provides that if funding is not provided for an ongoing project or the project's rate of operations is significantly reduced it may be continued at a minimal level. Defines minimal level as the current rate reduced by 25 percent.
(Sec. 216) Prohibits the use of funds appropriated under this title to implement any system of registration of unmarried cohabiting couples, whether homosexual, lesbian, or heterosexual.
Title III: Veterans Affairs - Makes continuing appropriations, in any case during FY 1996 in which appropriations are not otherwise available for the programs and activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to ensure payment of the following: (1) existing veterans' benefits; and (2) Veterans Health Administration contractors when due for services provided that relate directly to patient health and safety.
Defines existing benefits as those that have been adjudicated and authorized for payment as of: (1) December 15, 1995; or (2) if appropriations for such benefits are available (other than as provided for above) after December 15, 1995, the last day on which appropriations for payment of such benefits are available.
Makes the above provisions of this title ineffective on January 3, 1996.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Dec 22, 1995Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 104-69.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- FloorFloor · Received in the Senate, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On passage Passed by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 161 - 200 (Roll no. 885).House roll call 885
- FloorFloor · The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Obey asked unanimous consent to extend the time for debate for 6 minutes. Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Livingston asked unanimous consent to discharge the Committee on Appropriations and to consider the bill with 20 minutes of debate, equally divided, and that the previous question on the bill be considered as ordered. Agreed to without objection.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Appropriations Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Appropriations Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.