Three Things We Heard in House-side Hill Meetings

Alliance staff provided the following report on this week’s House meetings: 

The response to our message was strong, ranging from some offices who confirmed their strong support for FDA funding, while a number of offices expressed caution about the ability to get additional funding in FY 25 given the budget constraints expected to be imposed on the FY 25 bills.  A few offices indicated that their  members need assurances that funds being provided to FDA are being spent well.

Let’s consider each of these three points, all of which are true: 

FDA is important and worthy of Congressional support.  True. 

Among other things, FDA is responsible for safe food and safe and effective medical products. Every American is affected. Altogether, twenty percent of all US consumer spending is on FDA-regulated products and services. 

The litany of FDA responsibilities and impacts could go on and on. FDA matters–even if the agency is not top of mind for most Americans. 

Without FDA, those same Americans would find it a harsh life living in a society with unregulated food and medical products. A core Alliance message is: “FDA Brings Good Things to Life”.

FDA will have difficulty securing additional funding in FY 25 due to severe budget constraints. True. 

Reduced spending ceilings for discretionary funding were part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. On average, every federal agency other than defense and veterans will have level or lower funding in FY 25. 

A few exceptions will probably be made. We need to continue to make the case for FDA to be one of those exceptions.  A more in-depth analysis is: “FDA and the Iron Triangle of Deficit Reduction”.  

By the nature of its responsibilities, FDA will always be under scrutiny and must demonstrate responsible stewardship for the taxpayer resources it receives. True.

I have heard it said that FDA’s best days are when nothing happens. That is, FDA is doing its job successfully and nothing detrimental to health or safety escapes its scrutiny. 

Understandably, FDA doesn’t know whether to be proud...or worried that the reward for such days is an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to its resource needs. 

The paradox also works the other way. A bad day is nothing to be proud of...but it assures that the thinness of the agency’s resources is visible. 

If the health and effectiveness of FDA are important to you, then consider joining the Alliance. It's that simple: the bigger our voice, the more impact we can make. Please contact me for information at 301-257-9660.

Editorial Note:
The Analysis and Commentary section is written by Steven Grossman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.