Appropriators and Congressional leadership will continue efforts to finalize FY 2020 spending under a CR that extends through December 20, and following an agreement between Appropriations Committee chairs Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) on topline funding levels for all 12 spending bills including for the Labor-HHS spending bill, which includes NIH funding. Labor-HHS Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-Okla.) remains "optimistic" that the Labor-HHS spending bill can be completed by December 20, especially if considered in conference with the Defense, Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, and Transportation-Housing-Urban Development spending bills (CQ, subscription required).
