Inside (the Beltway) Scoop

By: Ellen Kuo
Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Second Attempt at a Continuing Resolution Follows Medical Research Week

Congress approved a continuing resolution (CR) before adjourning to begin campaigning, as the new fiscal year starts on October 1. Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson’s six-month CR, H.R. 9494, was defeated by a vote of 202–220. Pressure mounted to complete a CR that both the House and Senate could pass this week to send to the president for signature. The limited CR funds the federal government until December 20, 2024. 

Additionally, H. Res. 1458, a bipartisan resolution, was introduced last week to designate September 16–20, 2024, as Medical Research Week. Reps. André Carson, Suzanne DelBene, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Lloyd Smucker authored the resolution. “Medical research has shaped breakthroughs in science that change lives,” said Carson. “The cure for diseases like cancer and diabetes could be possible in our lifetimes, as long as we continue to invest in this important work. I am proud to have led bipartisan efforts over several years to fully fund the National Institutes of Health, expand pancreatic cancer research at the U.S. Department of Defense, and fully fund veteran medical and prosthetic research. We also need to collect more data on how minorities are disproportionately impacted by certain health issues and widen clinical trials to include those left out. I am proud to introduce this resolution highlighting Medical Research Week and will continue to work across the aisle on lifesaving legislation.”

The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research also issued a press statement in honor of this designation.