Congress and President Complete Temporary Spending Bill
This week, Congress and President Biden signed a temporary federal government spending measure that keeps all federal programs open through Dec. 20, 2024 – pushing final government funding decisions to a lame-duck session after the election. The bill provides continued funding for all federal programs, increased funding for the U.S. Secret Service, and does not include controversial provisions to change voting registration requirements, as initially sought by House Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) failed in his initial efforts to pass a House funding package with only Republican votes and later had to rely on the Democratic Caucus to provide the majority of votes needed to pass the funding measure in the House. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the Senate.
The ATS will continue to urge Congress to continue to invest in federal research, health, and environmental programs and avoid needless shutdowns that jeopardize essential public health functions of the federal government.
Rally for Medical Research 2024
On Sept.19, the ATS joined more than 350 national organizations and institutions for the 2024 Rally for Medical Research on Capitol Hill. This effort was intended to raise awareness about the critical need for robust, sustained, and predictable funding increases for the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2025. In meetings with House and Senate offices, the ATS urged members of Congress to continue their support for the NIH by providing the agency with the highest possible increase to the NIH base budget in fiscal year 2025. The medical research community has recommended at least $51.3 billion for the NIH’s base program level for that year.
TB CONTROL
Senate Passes End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2023
On Sept. 19, the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2023 (S. 288) was passed by the Senate. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Todd Young (R-IN), reauthorizes U.S. international TB control programs, updates U.S. global control strategies, and seeks greater coordination between U.S. bilateral TB control programs and the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) End TB Strategy and STOP TB partnership. The legislation also requires annual reports to Congress about tuberculosis-related foreign assistance and the development of new technologies, in addition to regular evaluations by the Government Accountability Office.
Companion legislation, H.R. 1776, was introduced by Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA) and Maria Salazar (R-FL). H.R. 1776 has not been passed by the House.
The ATS will continue to work with other TB control organizations to advance the legislation in the House.
TOBACCO CONTROL
California Passes Tobacco Control Bills – Awaiting Governor’s Signature
This session, the California Assembly passed two bills to enhance state regulation of tobacco products. Senate Bill 1230, the Strengthen Tobacco Oversight Programs (STOP) and Seize Illegal Tobacco Products Act, would empower the state to seize and destroy illegal e-cigarette products and strengthen oversight of flavored tobacco products, which are particularly harmful to youth. Related legislation, Assembly 3218 expands the definition of menthol-flavored products to include additives that create a menthol cooling sensation. Both bills aim to curb the tobacco industry's efforts to evade current regulations and ensure that California remains a leader in tobacco control.
In collaboration with the California Thoracic Society (CTS), the ATS has sent letters to Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to sign two critical pieces of tobacco control legislation: Senate Bill 1230 and Assembly Bill 3218. The ATS and CTS stress the importance of these bills to protect lung health, especially for youth, who are disproportionately affected by menthol products that make it easier to start using tobacco and harder to quit.
