Initial Break-Out of Senate Ag/FDA Committee FY 16 Appropriation

Below is a preliminary break-out of the FY 16 FDA budget authority (BA) appropriations proposed by the Senate Appropriation Committee. Most center/line items were held at approximately the same level as FY 15. The exceptions are CFSAN (+$45 million), and CVM (−$6 million).  Altogether, the total is about $10 million more than the House mark, all of which is going into food safety.As was the case with the House bill, these appropriations levels will be difficult for the agency. Not only are responsibilities increasing (e.g., FSMA for which the President requested a $109.5 million increase), but some of the fixed costs are certain to increase. For example, the Administration requested $314 million for rent and facilities costs. The Senate’s proposed  $287 million suggests the possibility that the centers might need to absorb $20 million or more in rental costs from their program budgets.Given the incredibly tight budget constraints under which the Congress is working, we appreciate the boost provided for FDA. However, we will continue to work towards higher funding levels for FDA in FY 16.Note: This week’s Analysis and Commentary was written by Steven Grossman, the deputy executive director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.