While Congress and President Barack Obama approved federal government funding through March 18, funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 still must be resolved.

Senate Republicans fell short of a vote needed to pass the House approved Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R.1). This bill is of concern to our neuromuscular community because it will cut federal research funding and reduce the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget. After the Republican-sponsored budget was rejected, a Democratic-sponsored budget alternative was proposed but also failed with a 58-42 vote.

Without the passage of either plan to reduce spending, it is our expectation that both sides will reach a compromise — one that will preserve federal research funding, and the quest to find effective therapies and diagnostics.

Look for future calls to action, as we continue to monitor this issue closely.