Fiscal Year 2021

President’s Budget:

The President’s Budget is expected to be released on Monday, February 10. The President’s Budget has no force of law but does kick-off the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) appropriations process. NCSD will thoroughly review and share any important updates as it relates to the STD field.

Ahead of the budget release, the President held his annual State of the Union on February 4. His remarks included a focus on his renewed effort to end HIV by 2030 stating, “And because Congress was so good as to fund my request, new cures for childhood cancer, and we will eradicate the AIDS epidemic in America by the end of this decade.” The Partnership to End HIV, STDs and Hepatitis, of which NCSD is a member, offered a statement following the President’s speech.

OMB Budget Testimony:

On Wednesday, February 12, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing with the Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director, Russ Vought, about President’s Budget and its priorities.

Earmarks:

As was previously reported, the Senate Appropriations Committee did not seem keen on considering earmarks (the use of federal funds to support some limited number of local projects that are of interest to lawmakers), however, the conversation seems to have shifted. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, Richard Shelby, entertained the possibility of earmarks in the FY21 appropriations cycle.

In the meantime, the House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman, Nita Lowey, is still meeting with House Democrats to better understand their interest in the issue. The House will likely make a decision soon about moving forward with earmarks in the FY21 appropriations cycle.