WASHINGTON — Democrats have conceded to Republican demands and agreed to fund the Food and Drug Administration for five years without any extra policy reforms attached, according to four congressional aides, a move that will punt any additional fights over FDA policy to December.
Democrats have been forced to entirely concede their ambitions to reform FDA programs to the preferences of Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who wanted a so-called “clean” reauthorization, at least for now. Lawmakers are planning to pass the user fee legislation with a short-term government funding bill by Friday.
However, Democrats managed to wrangle a smaller incentive to bring Republicans back to the negotiating table later this year. Lawmakers will only re-authorize several FDA programs through mid-December, meaning that any long-term extensions will require further action.
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