In Brief
Congress Recesses After Setting Spending Targets for FY24
As we reported in the May issue, a deal was finally reached to raise the federal debt ceiling for FY24 and FY25, with the caveat that significant reductions in spending are made and institutes caps for defense and non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding to just below FY23 levels. Rough estimates that take into account various programs exempted from reductions, such as Veterans Affairs, mean there will be approximately $652 billion available to all NDD programs; which translates to $1 billion less than FY23.
However, when House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) announced the topline spending numbers each of the 12 appropriations subcommittees would use to craft their bills she announced that they would be set to the overall non-defense discretionary spending limits from FY22. Per Granger’s announcement, Labor-Health and Human Services (L-HHS), which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will have $147.098 billion (-29.1% cut from FY23) spread over the various agencies and programs. Commerce, Justice and Science, which funds the National Science Foundation (NSF), will have $58.676 billion (-28.8% cut from FY23) to spread amongst the various programs and agencies.
Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) announced their topline spending numbers on June 22, which will adhere to the spending caps outlined in the bipartisan debt-limit deal. Here we know that Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations, which funds NIH, will be set at $195 billion (-5.9%) – down from $210 billion in FY23. Commerce, Justice and Science will have $69.637 billion (-15.5%) – down from $82.441 billion in FY23. While Congress and the White House continue to try to put a positive spin on how the various numbers will play out, the scientific research community can’t see many positives in what amounts to a $1 billion reduction in spending from current levels and without taking into account inflation and the general increase in costs that we see on an annual basis. Sen. Murray hope to allay some concerns in the communities focused on appropriations by reminding us that these figures are not final. Murray asserted that appropriators plan to add funding through redirected COVID-19 funds, emergency spending that is not subject to caps, and other supplemental measures.
BPS will continue to monitor and advocate on behalf of federal scientific research during the recess period and engage with appropriators further when they return to Washington, DC on July 11.
Interested in Meeting with Congress During August Recess?
Scientific research is facing one of the toughest years we've seen in some time with the spending caps agreed to as part of the federal debt-ceiling deal. Best estimates for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) currently predict a $1 billion spending reduction from current levels. While we haven't seen exactly what this will mean for researchers who secure grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), we know that federal research grant funding is at significant risk.
Now is the time to make the voice of biophysics research heard and BPS can help you do that in your home state and district or via Zoom. Congress will return home at the end of July through Labor Day for an in-district work period and this is a perfect time for you to reach out and explain the impact a cut to NIH and NSF grants will have on your ability to conduct research.
BPS' Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Leann Fox, can help arrange a meeting locally or via Zoom/webinar for you and your colleagues to meet with your Representative and Senators during this time. We just need to hear from you!
Meet with your Members of Congress this summer, invite them to your lab to see first-hand what you do. Let them know that basic and biomedical research relies on predictable, robust and sustained funding for federal grant-making agencies. Sign up now!