Following up on Sunday’s post, the FEHBlog notes that a House appropriations subcommittee released a draft of the financial services and general government appropriations bill for FY 2014. The bill includes the usual FEHBA appropriations clause, including a provision barring cost accounting standards coverage on these contracts, a restriction on abortion coverage, and a contraceptive coverage mandate.  Sen. Tom Udall (D NM) has been named chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee with responsibility for this bill. He replaces Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D NJ) who recently passed away. At this point the House has passed three  of 11 appropriations bills and the Senate hasn’t passed any. September may be an interesting month.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for OPM Director nominee Katherine Archuleta. The hearing will be held on July 16 at 3:30 pm in Room 342 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. .