House Approves $2.99 Billion FDA Budget

The House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a $373 million budget increase for the Food and Drug Administration, the largest boost in the agency's history.

The House voted 266 to 160 to give the FDA a $2.99 billion budget for fiscal year 2010.

The toughest exchanges in two days of debate over the FDA budget were between Reps. Paul Broun (R., Ga.), and Rosa DeLauro (D., Conn.). Rep. Broun introduced an amendment that would have the FDA receive the same level of funding as 2009, saying it would save Americans money.

"We're stealing our grandchildren's future by spending so much money," he said, adding that he isn't picking on the FDA.

Rep. DeLauro, a long-time food-safety advocate, blasted that idea. "Your [proposal] in fact would put this agency back in jeopardy," she said. "We just cannot afford to neglect our food safety system any longer."

Much of the increase in funding will target food safety initiatives, an area where the FDA has faced numerous challenges in the last year amid concerns as to how the agency responded to a variety of food-borne health problems involving peanuts, pet food and hot peppers. Rep. DeLauro said it will allow the FDA to review more food that enters the country's borders and hire an additional 1,150 foreign and domestic inspections.

There were about 90 amendments added to the bill but the House rules committee allowed about 10 of the amendments to reach the floor. Republicans grumbled that so many amendments weren't included for debate. Most of the amendments related to the broader agricultural appropriations bill, which includes the FDA's budget.

The FDA budget has been passed by a Senate committee but has yet to be voted by the chamber.

The following are the specific funding levels for the FDA:

� $783 million for the Center for Food Safety and Applied nutrition

� $873 million for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

� $349 million for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health

� $305 million for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

� $156 million for the Center for Veterinary Medicine