On Sept. 30, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6833 by a vote of 230-201 the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily extend fiscal year (FY) 2022 spending levels until Dec. 16. The House passage followed Senate passage on Sept. 29 by a vote of 72-25. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.
In addition to extending current funding levels for federal agencies and programs beyond their current expiration date of Sept. 30, the CR also reauthorized Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreements to collect user fees from prescription drug, generic drug, biosimilar, and medical device developers. The House and Senate committees of jurisdiction previously worked on independent legislation to reauthorize the FDA user fee programs and develop related policies including a new regulation of laboratory-developed tests through the FDA [refer to Washington Highlights, July 15]. These additional policies were not included in the CR but may be considered as part of year-end negotiations along with FY 2023 spending bills and other priorities.
The CR also provided funds for disaster aid and the war in Ukraine, but did not provide the Biden administration’s requested supplemental funds to address the ongoing public health emergencies, including $22.4 billion for COVID-19 and $3.9 billion for monkeypox [refer to Washington Highlights, Sept. 16].
Appropriators and congressional leaders are expected to reengage in negotiations to finalize federal spending for FY 2023 following the November midterm elections.