GOVERNMENT FUNDING -

This week, Congress is expected to pass a two - week extension to avoid a partial government shutdown . This means Congress will now have until December 21 st to pass a partial spending bill and wrap up the 115 thCongress. It still seems that the showdown over spending will come down to the border wall funding. It just may take us longer than we expected to get there.

Most importantly, this two- week extension will now give policymakers time to wrap up a few extraneous legislative items. Funding for the FDA is relevant in the context of the spending bills currently awaiting action. Both the House and Senate have proposed increases in FDA budget, with money going towards the opioid crisis, various centers within the agency, including the Oncology Center of Excellence...