Earlier today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees health and education programs put forward a FY 2018 increase of $2 billion or 5.9% for the National Institutes of Health and a 1.7% increase for the discretionary part of the Pell Grant program that would result in a new maximum award of $6,020 or $100 above the current level. Additionally, the Senate bill contains language that prevents the administration from implementing its proposed 10% cap on reimbursement of Facilities and Administrative costs on NIH grants. The full Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to approve the bill tomorrow.
The Senate's appropriations numbers will ultimately need to be squared with those put forward by the House. However, before that the chambers will need to increase the nation's debt limit, advance a stop-gap funding measure (continuing resolution) to keep the government open beyond the October 1 start of the new fiscal year, and come to agreement on an overall spending level for the government. It's likely that, through a continuing resolution, Congress will put off final decisions on FY 2018 appropriations until December.
