House, Senate Pass Emergency
Spending Bill
April 4, 2003 - Both the House and Senate April 3
approved a slightly different FY 2003 emergency supplemental
appropriations bills. The House vote was 414-12 and the Senate
passed its version 93-0.
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees unanimously
approved their respective versions of the package April 1
after limiting the Administration's request for flexibility
in how the bulk of the funding for the war would be allocated.
Both committees also approved additional funding for the airline
industry to cover the costs of increased security. The House
version (H.R.
1559) now is about $78 billion; the Senate bill (S.
762) is about $78.7 billion.
The House bill provides $165 million for bioterrorism and
public health activities, which includes $16 million for the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for comprehensive research
of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), $94 million to
assist state and local health authorities with the costs of
the civilian smallpox vaccination program, and $50 million
to compensate volunteers who experience adverse effects from
smallpox vaccinations. The Senate approved by voice vote an
amendment by Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) to provide $105 million
for smallpox vaccinations. However, the Senate bill has no
funds for compensation. The Senate Health, Education Labor,
and Pensions (HELP) Committee April 2 passed separate legislation
authorizing a compensation fund (see related
article).
The Senate also agreed 65-32 to an amendment by Senator Arlen
Specter (R-Pa.) to increase funding for "first responders"
by $200 million to $2.2 billion. This brings the Senate bill
in line with the House version.
Republican leaders have pledged to pass the conference version
of the bill prior to the spring congressional recess, which
begins April 11.
Information:
Dave Moore, Senior Associate Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
dbmoore@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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