In June 2008, Congress gave FDA an additional $150 million in an emergency supplemental appropriation. For Fiscal Year 2009, the Bush Administration has asked for an additional $325 million in funding for the agency. The question is, in addition to what? The FY08 budget figure after the $150 million was added, or before it was added? Some in Congress, particularly the Senate, want the former, but the Bush Administration, and perhaps the House as well, wants the latter. The Alliance for a Stronger FDA, a coalition that supports increased funding for FDA, endorses the Senate position. "The Alliance advocates a level of funding that is consistent with the Senate position , i.e. an appropriation level of $2.04 billion, creating $325 million in new funds in addition to the $150 million in supplemental monies," it said in a release to the media. "We hold this position regardless of whether the FDA is funded by an individual bill, an omnibus or a [continuing resolution]. Also, we have consulted our sources and are satisfied that the agency can absorb this amount of money and spend it appropriately. There is a need for this level of funding now and for further increases in subsequent fiscal years." UPDATE: The Alliance issued a release stating that the increased funding may not kick in until winter, and urging Congress to enact it sooner. Given everything else that is going on in Congress right now, FDA's budget for the first few months of FY '09, which begins Oct. 1, is likely to be enacted by Continuing Resolution. And funding via Continuing Resolution is often enacted at the previous year's level. So the budget increase that everyone agrees should happen might not until toward the end of the calendar year.