As many of you know, the end of the current funding year for the federal government is quickly approaching on September 30. One of the many to do items facing Congress in September is the need to pass legislation that funds the U.S. government for the next funding year by this deadline. It is looking increasingly likely that this will not happen. This is not new and has happened more regularly in recent years. What does this mean?
There are twelve Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills, which are bills to appropriate federal funds for specific federal government departments, agencies and programs that must be enacted each year by September 30 to fund the next fiscal year. What happens if the bills are not enacted in time? Congress utilizes what’s referred to as a Continuing Resolution (CR), a temporary measure to fund government activities for a specific and limited period of time.
These CRs are a “stopgap” measure to avoid a government shutdown and provide time for lawmakers to enact appropriations for the full year. It is important to note that programs deemed as essential services, such as those related to public safety or homeland security, often continue to operate even in the absence of a CR during a government shutdown.
How does this impact the funding of the CDC Tourette Syndrome Public Health Education and Research program (THEP)? If the government is funded through a Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2022, either for a short time or for the full fiscal year, the CDC TS program would be funded at the enacted funding level for FY2021 of $2 million dollars. But in the event of a government shutdown, the CDC TS Program is not deemed an essential service and CDC activities of the program would cease during the shutdown until either a CR is passed or the appropriations bills are enacted.
Sometimes multiple CRs are necessary in order to give lawmakers time to complete their full appropriations process if enactment does not occur in time for the expiration of the current CR. While Congress has funded full fiscal years via CR in the past, we do not believe this is a likely scenario at this time but remains a possibility.
How this year will unfold is yet to be determined and the TAA Public Policy team is continuously working to ensure the continued funding of the CDC Tourette Syndrome Program for FY22 and into the future. You can join our efforts by taking action and sending a letter to Congressional leaders emphasizing the importance of the programs and services that promote awareness, research and support. Fill out the form below and it will be automatically sent to your Representatives and Senators.
