Advocacy at a Glance

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.

• Two-Week CR Extension: Can It End the Impasse? A new FY 19 Continuing Resolution (CR) has been approved by Congress, extending the funding deadline until December 21 for seven appropriations bills. Six of those are reported to be ready for final passage, but are being held hostage by the seventh bill (Homeland Security). The virtue of December 21, as explained here, is that Congress will not want to be in session Christmas week and the new House Democratic majority will be sworn in about 2 weeks later. The biggest unknown is whether President Trump will shut down about a third of the government if he doesn’t get the border wall funding he wants.

• FDA Under a CR: Undesirable Now, Truly Bad Under a Full-Year CR.  As we have previously described here and in more detail here, failure to pass an FY 19 Ag/FDA appropriations bill will leave FDA with level funding at the FY 18 rate and limit the agency’s ability to initiate new programs in FY 19. Also, under a full-year CR, FDA would not receive the increased funding in FY 19 that might be in the range of $159 million (Senate) to $307 million (House).

• Frank Yiannis Takes Over Key Food Safety/Veterinary Medicine Post. Frank Yiannas, who was Vice-President, Food Safety at Walmart, has become the new Deputy Commissioner, Food Policy & Response. He replaces Dr. Stephen Ostroff.

• Alliance Meets with Dr. Steven Solomon, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine. At a long-planned Alliance member meeting with Dr. Solomon, he explained the responsibilities and activities of CVM in food safety, medical product development, and infection control (notably antimicrobial resistance). More details on the meeting and CVM are in this week’s Analysis and Commentary.

• Unless CR Impasse is Resolved, Friday Update Will Not Publish Next Week (December 14). If the Continuing Resolution endgame is not resolved by next Friday, we will skip that issue and provide full coverage on December 21.