- Congress is back in session, prioritizing keeping the government funded.
- It appears that a stopgap continuing resolution is a likely solution.
- The House Appropriations Committee's FY 2025 draft bill includes funding for mobile lung cancer screening units.
- However, it also proposes further reductions to key agencies.
- STS remains committed to opposing these cuts and advocating for its members and patients.
Congress has returned from August recess and is hitting the ground running to ensure that the government is funded before Oct. 1. To avoid a shutdown, both political parties will need to work together – something we haven’t seen much of this year. Although Republicans have promised to fund the government through regular order (by passing 12 appropriations bills through committees and a floor vote), it appears that a stopgap continuing resolution is the most likely solution to keep the government open.
The House Appropriations Committee released its draft FY 2026 funding bill for the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS), which was marked up by the full committee on Sept. 9. In a win for STS, the report language for the funding bill conveys clear support for mobile lung cancer screening units, a major priority for STS.
Unfortunately, the draft also seeks to eliminate the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for the third consecutive year. Additionally, it proposes a 6% cut to the HHS, an 11% cut to the Health Resources and Services Administration, and defunds the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. STS will continue to fight against these cuts, which could impact access to lifesaving research for our members and their patients.