Update on 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act

This alert was issued on March 5 about last night’s anticipated vote. According to the New York Times, the Senate failed to pass the bill last night, but may try again next week.

From the Medical Library Association Information Issues and Policy Coordinator:

ACTION ALERT

Ensure passage of the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations package and
increase federal public health funding.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has expressed concern that there are not enough votes yet in the Senate to pass the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 1105). He also has indicated that if the Senate does not approve the omnibus tonight, Congress will extend the continuing resolution (CR) through the remainder of FY 2009. The CR is presently level-funding federal public health initiatives at their FY 2008 level.

The omnibus package currently contains a $938 million funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as funding increases for other public health agencies and initiatives. Unlike stimulus funding which is a one-time infusion, this funding increase would raise the annual baseline budgets for NIH and the other public health agencies.

Please contact your senators today and urge them to support the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations package.

In order to ensure that the omnibus has sufficient votes in the Senate to move forward, please:

• Lookup the contact information for your two senators by going to www.senate.gov and selecting your state from the list.
• Call your senators’ Washington, DC office and ask to speak with the Health LA (you will likely receive their voicemail).
• Ask your Senator to “please vote in support of the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill.”
• Tell them your personal story and inform them of your interest in NIH and funding for federal public health programs.
• Inform them that the increased funding for NIH and other federal health agencies is critical, and that the agencies would not benefit from a year-long continuing resolution.
• Leave your contact information so that the senator’s staff can get back to you.

Be persistent and follow-up, Congressional staff are very busy, but if they understand this issue is important to their constituents, they will make it a priority to speak with you and fulfill your request.

[update: it passed]