Congressional Update: FDA Menthol Cigarette Ban, Competition With China

Last  week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would soon issue regulations codifying its plan announced in 2021 to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

In Congress, the House focused on passing the US COMPETES Act, legislation to support US research and development and supply chain security to compete with China.

The other most pressing priority is government funding, which expires February 18. Congress will likely pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to give them more time to negotiate a spending agreement.

The Build Back Better Act remains stalled indefinitely. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has not engaged in any negotiations with the White House and said “it’s dead” when asked about the status of the bill by a reporter this week.

While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reiterated his commitment to finding a path forward, the Senate’s legislative calendar will soon be filled by a) conferencing the China bill; b) funding the government; and c) confirming a new Supreme Court justice.

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