FDA’s budget in limbo

The 109th Congress failed to pass appropriations for FDA for FY 2007, instead settling on a continuing resolution that expires Feb. 15. Incoming Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairmen Sen. Robert Byrd (W.Va.) and Rep. Dave Obey (Wisc.) plan to scrap the current Republican appropriations bills in favor of a year-long continuing resolution. The move would effectively freeze the agency's spending at FY 2006 levels until FY 2008 begins. FDA responded by stating that "a full-year continuing resolution presents difficult challenges." The agency added that between now and Feb. 15, it "will be working with the administration to analyze the impacts of a continuing resolution"...