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.