December 2015
Congressional negotiators missed the Dec. 11 deadline to provide funding for federal operations and instead pass a short-term extension to keep federal agencies operating until Dec. 16. Despite the lack of a spending agreement, Republican and Democratic leaders have downplayed the specter of government shutdown and in fact, appear to have reached agreement on federal spending levels for the remainder of fiscal year 2016. The impasse surrounds controversial policy riders that aim to defund Planned Parenthood, address the Syrian refugee crisis, and block EPA regulations on climate change, air pollution and clean water.
The ATS will continue to advocate for increased investments in research and public health program and urge Congress to oppose policy riders that block, weaken, or delay EPA policy on air pollution.
