With the election season upon us, things tend to slow down dramatically in DC. There are three weeks in session during September, and then Congress is back out of session in October and early November in preparation for the elections. However, a number of priority items remain on the docket for the remainder of the year, with work occurring behind the scenes.
While Congress has already passed more bills this year than last year (don’t get too excited as most of these bills were naming VA clinics and post offices), Congress has failed to pass some “must pass” legislation, such as any of the appropriations bills required to fund the government after September 30. The anticipated path forward is a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open at least though the elections (since neither side wants to risk being blamed for a government shutdown right before an election).
What else Congress may achieve during this month is unclear, but we know the House is scheduled to work on a variety of bills regarding China, including the BIOSECURE Act, which would bar US companies and agencies from working with certain life science and genomics companies with ties to the Chinese government. In addition, we generally see a lot of political posturing in terms of what Congress is working on to give incumbent members something to talk about back home as they campaign.
Following the elections, a “lame duck” session may be an opportunity for Congress to get some work done, although any achievements in such a session will largely be based on the outcome of the elections and the contents of the CR.
On the agency front, work continues with HHS to ensure the blood supply remains a priority. ABC, AABB, and ARC have worked together on recommendations to support blood center cybersecurity. In addition, we are actively monitoring the remaining items on the 2024 CBER Guidance Agenda that may be released before the end of the year, including guidance related to buffy coat platelets, the collection of platelets by Automated Methods, testing for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and revised recommendations to reduce transfusion-transmitted malaria.
Questions? Contact Diane Calmus, Vice President of Government Affairs.