Congress Passes CR that Funds NIH at FY 2004 Levels Through November 20

On September 29, the House and Senate agreed to postpone further discussion on fiscal year (FY) 2005 Appropriations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and most other federal agencies until after the November 2 election. The Continuing Resolution (CR) that Congress approved funds most of the federal government at FY 2004 levels until November 20, 2004.

House and Senate Appropriators will now begin developing an “Omnibus” spending package to be considered when Congress returns for a “lame duck” session in mid-November. The Omnibus bill will include all of the remaining 12 appropriations bills not already enacted as stand-alone bills.

The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill, which includes funding for NIH, was passed by the House as well as the Senate Appropriations Committee—but not by the full Senate—and would be included in the FY 2005 Omnibus bill. The House passed bill provides NIH with $28.44 billion, an increase of $782 million or 2.8 percent. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved NIH funding of $28.9 billion, a $1.1 billion or 4 percent increase over FY 2004.

Within NIH, the Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY 2005 spending bill includes: $4.89 billion for the National Cancer Institute, a $156 million or 3.28 percent increase; $2.98 billion for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a $107 million or 3.7 percent boost; $1.73 billion for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a $67 million or 4 percent increase; and $1.09 billion for the National Institute on Aging, a $69 million or 6.8 percent boost.

Outlook
When Congress returns in mid-November, NIH funding will be among the most contentious issues on its agenda. This period before the election provides an opportunity for ASH members to contact their members of Congress and advocate for increased NIH funding. Please visit the ASH Advocacy Center for information about contacting your Senators and Representative about NIH funding in FY 2005.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact Jeff Coughlin, ASH Government Affairs Manager, at 202-776-0544.