Endocrine Insider
April 4, 2007

The House and Senate both recently approved non-binding budget resolutions that outline spending targets for FY 2008. The Senate passed its resolution on March 23, 2007, by a vote of 52-47, which calls for a $2.9 trillion cap on spending for FY 2008 and $18 billion more than the President’s budget for discretionary spending. The Senate resolution includes an amendment, submitted by Senators Harkin (D-IA) and Specter (R-PA), which calls for an increase in funding of $2.2 billion for the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and health professions programs. While the budget resolution does not specify binding appropriations levels, support of the amendment indicates that members of Congress believe more money should be allocated to these important programs.

The House approved its own budget resolution on March 29, 2007, by a vote of 216-210. The House resolution calls for $24 billion more of the $2.9 trillion budget to be spent on discretionary spending in comparison to the President’s budget, exceeding the increase made by the Senate.

During the coming months, individual appropriations committees will determine budget allocations for specific programs within the different government agencies. Future editions of Endocrine Insider will provide updates on congressional appropriations activity.