Appropriations Riders May Target Food Labeling 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.

• Heard on the Hill: CR Likely Delayed. Although not yet officially announced, it seems increasingly likely that a seven-day Continuing Resolution will be adopted late next week. That would set the new deadline from December 11 to December 18. The delay would reflect two dynamics -- both House and Senate are busy with other legislation; and disagreements about appropriations riders. Just in case the FY 16 omnibus appropriations bill does start to move next week, this week's Analysis and Commentary looks at FDA’s situation and prospects compared to baseline.

• Appropriations Riders May Target Food Labeling. As discussed in last week’s Analysis and Commentary, FDA is not immune to being part of a tussle over appropriations riders. We have heard of at least two possible topics on which riders may be offered, although it is unclear whether they would be adopted. The first is whether a rider could be used to block a new food labeling law that takes effect in Vermont next summer. A second possible rider might be aimed at mandatory labeling of genetically engineered salmon. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska appears to be the leader on the latter rider and she has indicated that she may also hold up Robert Califf’s nomination for FDA commissioner over the same issue.

• FY 2017 Budget Process; State of the Union to be January 12. While everyone’s focus is on the conclusion of FY 16 appropriations in Congress, the executive branch continues to pull together the President’s FY 17 budget request. The President is likely to discuss some program/budget initiatives during his State of the Union address, now scheduled for January 12. The full budget is likely to be released 7 to 10 days later.