News from the Hill: September 27, 2024
Congress returned to Capitol Hill on September 9th with only a handful of legislative days to complete work on key items and set up final activity for the lame duck session that will start in mid-November, after the elections. Most crucially, lawmakers need to pass a Continuing Appropriations Resolution (CR) to ensure the government stays open and operating past the October 1st start of the fiscal year. Recent funding cycles have seen brinkmanship and even government shutdowns. Congressional plans to quickly pass a clean CR so members could return to the campaign trail grew more complicated when the Speaker of the House, Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA), announced surprise plans for a six-month CR that included polarizing policy riders.
Ultimately, the Speakers emerging plan drew a strong rebuke (including from his own caucus). After the measure was defeated, Congress moved on quickly to pass a three-month clean CR that extends federal funding until December 20th and includes additional resources for the Secret Service. The House and Senate both passed the short-term CR on the same day and, after considering some additional business, Congress then adjourned until after the election.
Lawmakers will next return to Capitol Hill on November 12th for the lame duck session. Before the end of the year, they will need to decide final FY 2025 appropriations, how to dispense with supplemental emergency funding, and what other healthcare legislative items will be considered and passed with limited time. With the current bipartisan tone, polarizing proposals like the NIH reorganization put forward by the House are not expected to be part of legislative discussions. However, final top line funding levels for federal agencies along with annual funding for key programs is very much up for debate. Presently, the House and Senate are far apart on allocations for medical research and public health programs. Timely advocacy will be needed to ensure the best possible allocations for CCTS priorities, including NCATS, CTSAs, IDeA, and other efforts.
By: Dane Christiansen, Washington Representative