FDA Funding in Peril as House, Senate Diverge on User Fee Deal

Food and Drug Administration funding is in question after a key negotiator Thursday proposed walking away from months of efforts to overhaul the agency’s fast-track approval system.

House leaders are now urging the Senate to vote quickly on their proposal (H.R. 7667) for reauthorizing industry user fees that help fund the FDA after the Senate health committee’s ranking member proposed a stripped down version lacking several previously negotiated provisions.

Congress must pass user fee legislation for the next five fiscal years before the current agreements between the FDA and drug and device industries expire Sept. 30. User fees ...