Further Consideration of FY17 budget and Major Science Legislation Likely Put off until Next Congress

By Amy Nussbaum posted 07-11-2016 17:21

  

           With Congress expect to recess next week through Labor Day, this week is expected to be full of legislative activity. However, little action is expected on either the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act or the various appropriations bills (there are twelve in total, with appropriations for Commerce, Justice, and Science, as well as appropriations for Labor, Health, and Human Services of particular concern to the statistical community), thereby likely deferring any action on these bills until the next Congress.

           The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, the Senate bill that reauthorizes NSF—among other agencies—was treated favorably by members of both parties during the markup on June 29. The few changes included a provision encouraging the creation of a grant program to expand STEM apprenticeship programs. Despite the good humor of many involved, there is no action expected in the next week, and likely not even at all for the remainder of this Congress given the remaining legislative days left in this Congress and the differences that would have to be resolved between the House and Senate versions.

            Senate consideration for the CJS Appropriations bill has been suspended (due in part to extended debates on gun control, other policy provisions, and disagreement on defense spending). Although markup for the Labor HHS Appropriations bill is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, action on either before the August recess is not expected at this time. Instead, many expect continuing resolutions to keep the government operating at the start of the fiscal year.

            The House has now released its FY17 Labor HHS bill, increasing funding for the National Institutes of Health by3.8% cutting funding for the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality by16%, and flat funding the Bureau of Labor StatisticsThis action may indicate  that both chambers will have at least some action on all twelve appropriations bills: https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/Appropriations+for+Fiscal+Year+2017. ]

Continuing resolutions will not come as a surprise to many, as the twelve yearly bills have passed together only four times since 1977.  However, there is some debate on how to best proceed with the appropriations process in an election year. More information can be found in this  Washington Post piece from July 11.  (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/07/11/with-spending-bills-stalled-focus-turns-to-avoiding-a-shutdown-fight-this-fall/).

For context, see

To keep track of funding updates, check

For general science policy updates, follow @ASA_SciPol on Twitter. 

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