Washington, D.C. – To prevent unnecessary delays in the development of potentially lifesaving medications and medical devices during a government shutdown, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced the Getting Innovations to Patients During Shutdown Act.

This legislation would ensure the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can continue reviewing applications for new drugs and medical devices even if there is a lapse in government funding – a so-called government shutdown. The bill was inspired by a company based in Rep. Mullin’s district that was working on a rare disease treatment that became stalled as a result of the most recent, and longest in U.S. history, shutdown in October 2025 because, under existing law, the FDA could not process the company’s fees to begin reviewing its application.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that lifesaving medicines, treatments, and medical devices are needlessly delayed from reaching patients,” said Rep. Mullin. “During a government shutdown, it is essential that the FDA can continue doing its job reviewing new medicines and medical devices so patients have access to promising treatments without unnecessary interruptions. This critical legislation is an essential step toward ensuring political gridlock and partisan dysfunction doesn’t stand in the way of medical innovation or patient care.”

Under current law, during a federal government shutdown the FDA is unable to accept the required fees from companies applying for review of new drugs or medical devices. Without the fee, the FDA is unable to begin review of the application, delaying ultimate approval. Patients are left waiting while products that could improve – or save – their lives are delayed during a shutdown.

The Getting Innovations to Patients During Shutdown Act would allow for the review of new human drug and device applications during a federal government shutdown by:

• Temporarily waiving the requirement that manufacturers pay a user fee before the FDA may begin reviewing a new drug or medical device application
• Requiring that any fee waived during the shutdown be paid within 7 days after the shutdown ends

The full bill text can be found here.

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