It’s the last week of legislative activity in DC before August recess, but around the rest of the country, political activity is starting to heat up. And this year it’s a political heatwave as Vice President Kamala Harris has quickly moved to consolidate her position as the presumptive Democratic nominee with strong fundraising numbers and key endorsements, including from the Obamas. As an Iowan, your author cannot help but wonder if Harris will make a trip to the Iowa State Fair with its famous butter cow to build on her momentum (maybe with her running mate)? So, with that shameless plug for my home state out of the way, let’s get into it. Welcome to the Week Ahead!
The Administration
A public official with years of experience has decided to step aside and let someone else take the reins. No, we aren’t talking about Joe Biden. We are talking about the Director of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’S) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), Dr. Jeff Shuren. As of July 28, Dr. Michelle Tarver, who previously served as the Center’s acting deputy director, has taken over the top job. Dr. Shuren will be staying with the agency through the end of 2024 to help with the transition.
So what? While it’s understandable that the retirement of an FDA official wouldn’t make news in the same way as a sitting President deciding not to seek re-election, the question of what Dr. Shuren does next could have major implications for health care policy and the health care industry. If Vice-President Harris is successful in her White House bid, will Dr. Shuren throw his hat in the ring for a job with the new Administration such as FDA Commissioner? If he doesn’t return to government service, will Dr. Shuren decide to join the board of a medical devices company or other organization? You can be sure we will be watching to see where Dr. Shuren ends up.
The Senate
Are We There Yet?
Like many kids in the backseats of countless minivans this summer, many senators must be asking this question: are we there yet – may we start recess. But these senators are probably not eager to get to Disney World, they want to get back to the campaign trail (either for themselves or their party’s presidential nominee).
The big thing keeping the Senate in town is the decision by Senate appropriators to schedule an August 1 markup of five Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills, including for the Department of Health and Human Services. If the Committee can get these bills passed, they will have marked up every appropriations bill ahead of August recess.
Senate Health Hearings
- July 31: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Executive Session to consider the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act, the Autism CARES Act, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act
- July 31: Senate Judiciary Human Rights and the Law Subcommittee hearing on giving birth behind bars
The House
Like many folks right before a trip, the House decided some things could wait, having ducked out for the August work period on July 25. When they come back, they will have to come to an agreement on how to fund the government and continuing conversations on how to address upcoming deadlines such as when the current Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire.
The House did manage to pass one thing before leaving town: A resolution condemning Vice President Harris for her role as “border czar” in the current Administration. That will give members on both sides of the aisle plenty of fodder for the campaign trail.
There You Have It
Things tend to quiet down in Washington during August, and we will be taking a break from the Week Ahead until Congress returns on September 9. In the meantime, we encourage you to check out our firm’s LinkedIn page, where we will be sharing our summer reading recommendations throughout August. Make it a great week, and a great month, we will see you in September!