FY20:

Caps

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer, is advocating for an increase in the top-line spending for FY20 and FY21. He plans to work with Senate GOP leaders to get it done quickly. Raising the top-line spending levels will allow appropriators to mark up nondefense spending bills and provide some flexibility for increased appropriations. Currently, if no agreement is made the spending-line, or caps, will return to the number agreed upon under the 2010 Budget Control Act (BCA) which means that nondefense programs would face a $55 billion cut.

President’s Budget

The President’s Budget is expected to be released on Monday, March 11. Sources report that this budget will outline the President’s vision and funding request for the Initiative on Ending the Epidemic. NCSD will keep a close eye on this and will provide further information to our members after the budget is released.

Hearing on HHS budget

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the President’s FY20 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) hearing on Tuesday, March 12 at noon. The hearing will most likely be webcasted, more information can be found at this link: here.

Earmarks

Both the House and Senate have agreed against using earmarks (designated funding for a particular purpose) in the FY20 appropriations process. The House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey announced she has decided to table the discussion on possible earmarks until FY21 and the Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby has followed suit.