Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Congress Staves Off Third Government Shutdown Of Year With Late Night Vote On $1.3T Spending Deal
The Associated Press: Congress OKs $1.3 Trillion Budget, Averting Another Shutdown
Congress gave final approval Friday to a giant $1.3 trillion spending bill that ends the budget battles for now, but only after late scuffles and conservatives objections to big outlays on Democratic priorities at a time when Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. Senate passage shortly after midnight averted a third federal shutdown this year, an outcome both parties wanted to avoid. But in crafting a sweeping deal that busts budget caps, they've stirred conservative opposition and set the contours for the next funding fight ahead of the midterm elections. (Mascaro and Fram, 3/23)
The Washington Post: In Late-Night Drama, Senate Passes $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill, Averting Government Shutdown
Action by the Senate shortly before 1 a.m. capped a day of suspense, including the late-night revelation that the legislation had been stalled for hours partly because Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) objected to the renaming of a federal wilderness area after a deceased political rival. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also held out against the bill for much of the day Thursday, voicing objections to what he viewed as unnecessary deficit spending while keeping colleagues in the dark about whether he would delay action on the legislation and force a brief government shutdown, as he did last month over an earlier spending deal. (Werner and DeBonis, 3/23)
Politico: McConnell Averts Shutdown With ‘Begging, Pleading And Cajoling’
“This is ridiculous. This is juvenile,” fumed Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who asked McConnell for an explanation of why the chamber was in at midnight. “What has occurred over the last 11 hours that keeps us here voting on a bill that we all know is going to pass?” McConnell didn’t go into detail but acknowledged the difficult path he took to getting the spending bill across the finish line. “My principal responsibility is begging, pleading and cajoling. I have been in continuous discussions, shall I say, with several of our members who were legitimately unhappy,” McConnell said. (Everett, 3/22)
The Wall Street Journal: Congress Passes Mammoth Spending Bill, Averts Shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) depicted the bill as “legislation that neither side sees as perfect, but which contains a host of significant victories and important achievements on behalf of the American people.” Among them, he said, are a 15% increase in military spending and funding to combat an opioid epidemic as well as a down payment toward Mr. Trump’s border wall. (Peterson and Hughes, 3/23)
Reuters: Factbox: What Is In The $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill Before The Congress
The bill allots additional funds to the National Institutes of Health, including a $414 million increase for Alzheimer's disease research, $40 million more for research on developing a universal flu vaccine and $17 million more for antibiotic-resistance bacteria research. Separately, it earmarks an additional $2.8 billion to fund treatment and prevention of opioid addiction and research into the subject. (Becker and Cowan, 3/23)
The Hill: Spending Bill Includes $10M Increase For Abstinence Education
Abstinence-only education would see a $10 million funding boost under the spending bill released by Congress Wednesday night and advanced by the House Thursday morning. Under the $1.3 trillion omnibus bill, the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) grant program would receive a 67 percent increase in funding, bringing it up to $25 million. (Hellmann, 3/22)
New Hampshire Public Radio: New Hampshire Hoping Boost In Opioid Funds In Federal Spending Deal Hits Home
New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is cheering a significant increase in federal funds for fighting the opioid epidemic included in the federal spending deal released Wednesday. The draft bill contains an additional $3 billion over 2017 funding levels to fight opioid and mental health crises nationally. (Greene, 3/22)
NPR: There's No Affordable Care Act Stabilization In The Omnibus Budget Deal
Here's the rundown of what's included in the 2,232-page spending bill, now in the hands of a Senate vote, based on summaries released by the House and Senate appropriations committees. (Kodjak, 3/22)
The Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers Pull All-Nighter To Study 2,232 Page Spending Bill
When the 2,232-page government spending bill posted on Wednesday night, Rep. Gary Palmer (R., Ala.) divided it into four sections and broke out the sugar. “I’m not a big dessert eater, but I confess, after one section I finished, I ate a pack of Bud’s Best Cookies,” Mr. Palmer said, referring to the Alabama-made treats he gives away in his office. “And then I finished another section, I got up and walked around, got hot tea and then I go back and do another section.” (Andrews and Peterson, 3/22)
