Senate Adopts Cures Bill By Big Margin; FDA Could Tap $20m More In 2017

The Senate approved the same 21st Century Cures bill passed by the House last week on a 94-5 tally; the bill is expected to be quickly signed by President Obama. Provisions for extra dollars for FDA in the bill means that even with a plan by Congress to adopt a continuing resolution this week freezing FDA funding until April 28, the agency can rely on an additional $20 million set aside for it in Cures in the new year.

Capitol House

Industry groups are celebrating US Senate passage of the 21st Century Cures bill with an overwhelming majority, teeing up the broad-based legislation that includes a range of medtech FDA reforms, research dollars and other provisions to be signed by President Obama.

The Cures bill was approved on a 94-5 vote on Dec. 7 following passage of the same bill by the...

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