Appropriations:

On Thursday, October 31, the Senate held a vote to advance the FY 2020 Labor, Health, and Human Services bill (the bill that funds STD prevention at CDC), the Department of Defense bill, and Energy and Water bill. As was expected, the Senate was unable to get enough votes (60 required) to advance these bills as both sides accused each other of playing political games. NCSD now expects that the Senate and House will meet in what is referred to as conference to determine FY20 funding for these bills.

In the meantime, it is expected that the Senate and House will need to come up with another continuing resolution (CR) agreement to keeps the government open and fund programs at FY19 levels before the current CR runs out on November 21.