House Omnibus Approps Bill Would Increase FDA Spending By 19% In Fiscal 2009
This article was originally published in The Pink Sheet Daily
Executive Summary
FDA directed to use additional money to improve drug, device and food safety.
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FDA funding increase on hold
The agency and most of the federal government continue to operate at fiscal 2008 spending levels following the Senate's inability to approve an omnibus appropriations measure. The House on Feb. 25 adopted the $410 billion FY '09 appropriations package, which includes nine spending bills and a 19 percent increase in FDA money (1"The Pink Sheet" DAILY, Feb. 23, 2009). But Republicans opposed the bill's high price tag and have tied up the measure in the Senate. Additional Republican amendments are scheduled for March 9 and "we are hoping for a final vote" March 10, according to a spokesman for Senate Appropriations Chair Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. In the meantime, affected agencies are covered by a continuing resolution that expires March 11
FDA funding increase on hold
The agency and most of the federal government continue to operate at fiscal 2008 spending levels following the Senate's inability to approve an omnibus appropriations measure. The House on Feb. 25 adopted the $410 billion FY '09 appropriations package, which includes nine spending bills and a 19 percent increase in FDA money (1"The Pink Sheet" DAILY, Feb. 23, 2009). But Republicans opposed the bill's high price tag and have tied up the measure in the Senate. Additional Republican amendments are scheduled for March 9 and "we are hoping for a final vote" March 10, according to a spokesman for Senate Appropriations Chair Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. In the meantime, affected agencies are covered by a continuing resolution that expires March 11
Keeping up the FDA funding pace
The House approves a continuing resolution Sept. 24 that funds most of the federal government, including FDA, at fiscal 2008 appropriation levels through March 6, 2009. The money available to FDA will be calculated on the basis of both the level in its appropriations bill and the $150 million added in a supplemental funding package. "Congress is following through with its commitment to provide additional resources for the FDA," notes Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Chair of the House Appropriations panel that oversees the FDA budget. At press time, the Senate was scheduled to vote on the measure on Sept. 27. Without the continuing resolution, funding for the government would cease with the start of fiscal 2009 on Oct. 1. As March approaches, it is likely Congress will pass another continuing resolution to fund the government through the end of fiscal 2009, an appropriations staffer notes. By that time, congressional appropriators will be directing their attention to the FY 2010 spending bills