What to know about the spending bill

A very quick update on what’s been happening on Capitol Hill and why it matters to biotech—plus, meet BIO’s new agriculture and environment working groups. (556 words, 2 minutes, 46 seconds)

Congress’s spending extension presents opportunity to address key biotech legislation

With a temporary spending measure in place, Congress can continue work on legislation important to the biotech industry.\

What happened: Hours before the Sept. 30 deadline, Congress passed a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through Nov. 17, allowing time for a long-term funding deal as well as passage of other key priorities.

What didn’t happen: Renewal of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) and the Farm Bill, both of which expired Sept. 30. (FWIW, they’re often renewed after the deadline.)

Why PAHPA matters: PAHPA establishes measures to prepare for the next pandemic and “allows us to be ready for other kinds of biothreats and public health emergencies,” according to Phyllis Arthur, BIO’s SVP for Infectious Disease and Emerging Science Policy. BIO’s called for the passage of PAHPA and the inclusion of the MCM PRV program which incentivizes the development of new and faster response capabilities.

Why the Farm Bill matters: “A farm bill centered on innovation stands to incentivize the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and practices, resulting in benefits to the environment and rural economies,” said Beth Ellikidis, BIO’s VP for Agriculture & Environment, in a statement to the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Why ADUFA matters: The legislation sets the fees and policies for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of animal drugs. BIO has called for modernized regulation to advance biotech innovation and the bioeconomy.

What happens next: The 45-day spending extension gives Congress an opportunity to return to this legislation and renew or extend the current versions. BIO will continue to work with bipartisan Members of Congress on these priorities.

BIO announces new ag and environment working groups

ICYMI, BIO announced new working groups on Agricultural Biologicals and Biobased Manufacturing, to address the growing diversity and importance of biotech in agriculture.

What are BIO’s working groups? BIO members meet in themed working groups to identify key issues, engage in advocacy, and build relationships with colleagues—and all member company employees are welcome to participate.

Why it matters: The expertise and awareness of specific industry challenges among BIO’s membership not only assist others in the industry but also helps regulators who rely on BIO’s knowledge to make science-based decisions.

The new Agricultural Biologicals Working Group will cover food ingredients, enzymes for food processing, alternative proteins, and small molecules and microbes for crop inputs.

The new Biobased Manufacturing Working Group will focus on biobased energy, biochemicals, bioplastics, biobased materials, and other products of industrial biotechnology.

BIO’s Agriculture & Environment working groups also cover Plants, Animals, Federal Government Relations, State Government Relations, Law, Communications, Agriculture International, and Climate. Additional working groups for all members focus on foreign investment, finance and tax issues, and BIO Business Solutions member benefit programs, among others.

BIO’s view: “By having a clear home for the different pipelines of members and prospective members, as well as the biotech scientific community, we are able to tackle the most pressing issues and show value to the industry,” said Beth Ellikidis, BIO VP for Agriculture & Environment. “No other group has the diversity of membership and knowledge of biotech’s positive impacts for agriculture, climate, and growing the bioeconomy.”

President Biden's Monday: Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act in an address from the White House.

What's Happening on Capitol Hill: Following the successful passage of a continuing resolution, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) faces an attempt to oust him from his position, as NBC reports.