As we approach next week’s elections and with a continuing resolution to fund the federal government in place until December 20, FABBS has been working to communicate support for strong budgets for science, anticipating the impact on leadership of key Congressional Committees and recommending priorities for the incoming administration.
FABBS participated in a mini-Hill Day with the Coalition for Health Funding on October 23rd. This event provided an opportunity to engage with Congressional offices and advocate for the timely completion of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) appropriations process. We emphasized the importance of funding all public health agencies and programs at the highest possible levels, rejecting arbitrary and harmful funding caps for FY26 and beyond. We also underscored the critical role of robust funding for behavioral and brain sciences in promoting public health, innovation, and societal well-being. During this continuing resolution period, the advocacy community is actively circulating conference letters, including one from the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF).
With a new Congress on the horizon, the outcomes of leadership contests in key committees will shape legislative priorities, especially in health policy. Due to retirements, term limits, and leadership ambitions, several House Republicans are competing for top roles within the Science, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, and Judiciary Committees.
Frank Lucas will relinquish his gavel, having hit the time limit as Chair. Energy and Commerce (E&C) Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) is not seeking reelection, leaving a race between E&C Health Subcommittee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) to replace her as the top Republican on the panel. If Republicans retain control, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) may leverage these positions to gain support. In contrast, Democrats are expected to have smoother transitions.
Health policy will remain a priority regardless of the election outcome, with leaders likely to tackle issues such as National Institutes of Health (NIH) reauthorization, drug pricing, telehealth, and Medicare. The results of these leadership shifts and the elections will be pivotal in determining the direction of future legislation and oversight efforts.
Organizations are also updating their presidential transition plans to ensure that key priorities remain front and center. Given that presidential transitions often bring leadership changes, federal agencies like the National Science Foundation and the NIH may experience shifts at the top. The CNSF is revising its 2020 transition document to address new opportunities and challenges. FABBS is preparing two versions of a transition memo, tailored for each possible outcome of the election.
