Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
NIH Gets Big Boost In Spending Bill As Senate Swats Down Measure To Defund Planned Parenthood
The Associated Press: Senate Backs $854B Bill To Fund Health, Education, Military
The Senate approved an $854 billion measure Thursday that funds much of the government, including $675 billion for the Defense Department. The bill combines military spending with disbursements for Health and Human Services, Education, Labor and other agencies. The bill was approved, 85-7, and now heads to the House. (Daly, 8/23)
Politico: Senate Passes Giant Spending Package In Hopes Of Averting Shutdown
HHS would see a $2.3 billion boost, including a 5.4 percent increase for the National Institutes of Health. Education programs would get a $541 million boost, while the Labor Department’s budget would remain flat. The two bills represent the eighth and ninth spending measures the Senate has passed this summer, likely the last of 12 to clear the chamber ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. The rest, including the bill that would fund Trump’s border wall, are expected to be funded on autopilot under a continuing resolution through the midterms and into Congress’ lame-duck session. (Ferris, 8/23)
The Hill: Senate Approves Sweeping Bill On Defense, Domestic Spending
This one was particularly important because it included funding for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education, which is often a difficult package because of fights over abortion and other issues. Senators were able to avoid those fights in this case. “I am proud of what these bills contain and how the Senate has crafted them. I want to particularly thank Chairman [Richard] Shelby and Senator [Patrick] Leahy,” McConnell said ahead of the vote, referring to the top two members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. (Carney, 8/23)
The Washington Post: Senate Easily Defeats Measure To Defund Planned Parenthood
The Senate easily defeated an attempt by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday to strip money from Planned Parenthood, with Democrats holding together unanimously despite the prospect of election-year attacks from Republicans over the issue. Those attacks arrived mere moments after the vote closed, with the National Republican Senate Committee blasting out releases attacking Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) for opposing Paul’s measure. The three are among the most endangered Democrats in the Senate. (Werner, 8/23)
The Hill: Senate Rejects Paul's Effort To Strip Planned Parenthood Of Federal Funding
The Senate rejected an effort by GOP Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) to attach a provision blocking federal funding for Planned Parenthood to a massive government spending bill. Senators voted 45-48 on Paul’s amendment, with 60 votes needed to add the provision into the spending bill. GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted with Democrats to oppose the amendment. (Carney, 8/23)
