ISSAlert January 19, 2018

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Federal Government Shutdown Looms:
Implications for EPA Registrations

The House passed a short-term extension of government funding late Thursday after Republican leaders cobbled together enough GOP votes to overcome an internal revolt. Nonetheless, the funding extension faces serious opposition in the Senate, which may very well lead to a shutdown of the federal government this weekend.

Implications for Formulators. ISSA is working in support of an extension of government funding to ensure EPA Antimicrobials Division remains operational. If the government shuts down, EPA will cease processing registrations for disinfectants and sanitizers, disrupting business operations for formulators across the country. 

Outlook. Still, the possibility of a federal shutdown moved closer to a certainty after Senate Democrats rallied against the GOP proposal, announcing they would not lend their votes to a bill that did not reflect their priorities on immigration, government spending and other issues.

Moreover, Senate Republicans remain short of the 60 votes needed to advance the bill to fund the government through Feb. 16, a short-term budget extension that ISSA and other industry groups support. Further, the House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said he would release his members to leave Washington midday Friday decreasing the possibility Congress will extend government funding for just a few days, as Democrats have requested.

ISSA will continue to push for an extension of government funding to ensure EPA remains capable of processing product registrations.