US lawmakers have agreed on a bipartisan budget to prevent a government shutdown that includes repealing the medical device tax. If all goes according to plan, the bill -- which was approved by the House on 17 December and is now headed to the Senate -- is expected to be on the president’s desk for signing by the end of the week.

Illinois Rep. John Shimkus, a well-known pro-medtech industry bill sponsor, announced on 30 August his plans for a January 2020 retirement. He joins at least 15 Republican House members who recently said they are also ending their Capitol Hill careers, leaving six vacancies on the US House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means panels prior to the 2020 elections.

A coalition of 27 Senators – including 10 Democrats led by Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. – on March 7 co-sponsored a bill to permanently repeal the device tax. AdvaMed says support of additional Democrats on this year’s bill should persuade Senate leaders to bring S. 692 to the floor for a vote, or it could be attached to other, "must pass"’ legislation. But the bill’s approval in the Democratic-controlled House is uncertain. Sixty-five of 283 “yes,” voters – mostly GOP – favoring tax repeal in the last session, are no longer in office.