Academy Advocacy Update: Lame Duck Session and Planning for 119th U.S. Congress

In light of the GOP’s control across the executive and legislative branches, learn how the lame-duck session and key issues may impact policies of particular importance to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Major Legislative Items in Lame Duck:

1. Disaster Relief and NDAA: Disaster relief funding and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are likely to be prioritized. Given their bipartisan support and urgency, these bills are candidates for completion in the lame-duck session. While primarily defense-focused, the NDAA often includes public health provisions, and ongoing discussions could impact programs relevant to community nutrition and food security.
2. Health Extenders: Extensions for telehealth services, community health center funding and other health extenders such as the “Special Diabetes Program” need to be addressed before year-end.
3. Farm Bill: The Farm Bill’s reauthorization includes crucial funding for nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP and WIC. Republicans may aim to incorporate changes to streamline and potentially limit some of these programs, though bipartisan support generally exists for maintaining strong nutrition assistance components.
4. Government Funding: With the current continuing resolution (CR) set to expire, Congress will need to act to avoid a government shutdown. Any temporary funding package may include provisions impacting health and nutrition programs administered by agencies like U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 The Academy is looking ahead to the 119th U.S. Congress and working on strategies to advance our legislative priorities, including:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy Act
• Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)
• Farm Bill and Nutrition Assistance Programs
• Food Insecurity and Community Health Program