Califf Hearing Appears to Have Gone Well and more

Advocacy at a Glance offers you the bullet point summary of current advocacy issues associated with the goals of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.

• Limited Number of Legislative Work Days Until December 11. Congress will be in recess next week. When they return on December 1, there will be a limited number of days until the Continuing Resolution expires on December 11. There is not yet a clear strategy or process to move an omnibus appropriations bill that quickly. Getting resolution on the omnibus will require more than just working out the numbers. This week’s Analysis and Commentary explores what else much be decided before appropriations legislation can move through Congress.

• Califf Hearing Appears to Have Gone Well. FDA commissioner-designate Robert Califf had a strenuous but mostly friendly confirmation hearing this week. He is expected to be voted on before the end of the year, perhaps as early as the first week of December. Despite the apparent strength of support expressed at the hearing, his nomination could still be held up by unrelated issues that might result in someone placing a “hold” on his name. The next step is for the Senate HELP Committee to receive written answers to questions that were not addressed at the hearing. A vote could follow soon thereafter.

• No Friday Update Next Week. In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no Friday Update on November 27 (and therefore no Advocacy at a Glance or Analysis and Commentary). We will resume on December 4.