Congress left Washington in September so members could campaign ahead of the midterm elections. Lawmakers will return November 9 for a “lame duck” session to complete work before adjourning and a top priority will be to address the proposed rule by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that would fundamentally change grant approval, research dissemination, and international collaboration.
The OMB had planned to begin implementation of its proposed rule October 1. However, led by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), there was a bipartisan effort to delay implementation through December 11.
When Congress returns in November, the Endocrine Society will call on Congress to urge the White House to withdraw the proposed rule. All U.S. Endocrine Society members are strongly encouraged to join our online campaign (visit endocrine.org/advocacy/take-action and share the link with your colleagues. The more people who participate, the more influence we will have.
In addition, the Society is working with Congress to draft bipartisan language to block the proposed rule in funding legislation, if the White House does not withdraw the proposed rule on its own.
Another issue Congress will need to address will be funding for the federal government. The House and Senate could not resolve differences and complete action on funding bills before the start of the fiscal year October 1, so they passed a short-term funding bill that runs only through December 11.
Congress will need to pass a funding bill by then to avert a government shutdown or pass another short-term funding extension that will run into the new congressional term in January. The Endocrine Society is advocating for passage of a full-year funding bill with at least $53 billion for the National Institutes of Health.
