2007 Research Appropriations Deferred
Leadership Pledges to Reintroduce Stem Cell Research Bill
The 109th Congress deferred passage of the FY 2007 appropriations bills that fund the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and National Science Foundation. Prior to adjourning on December 9, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that funds these agencies through February 15, 2007.
On December 12, the incoming chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Sen. Robert Byrd (WV) and Rep. David Obey (WI) announced they will seek to pass a long-term CR to fund all 2007 appropriations through the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2007), except Defense and Homeland Security. Congress passed appropriations bills funding Defense and Homeland Security earlier in the fall. Byrd and Obey indicated they would make "limited adjustments" in the CR to increase funding levels for select labor, health and education programs but did not share specific plans.
The long-term CR will include none of the earmarks contained in the remaining FY 2007 appropriations bills. Obey and Byrd announced a moratorium on all earmarks until new standards for transparency and accountability are in place. Earmarks in the unfinished 2007 bills will be eligible in the 2008 process but subject to reforms.
The new Democratic leadership has pledged to reintroduce legislation that would expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, as part of its First 100 Hours initiative. The legislation introduced in 2005 by Diana DeGette (CO) and Mike Castle (DE) was passed by Congress last summer but vetoed by the White House. The new leadership is already urging the President to sign this important measure.
Originally published 1/2007
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