2009-01-15

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) has unveiled the details of the House version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund research grants to expand "good jobs in biomedical research to study diseases." The bill also includes an addition $1.5 billion for NIH to fund projects to "renovate university research facilities and help them compete for biomedical research grants."

Congress had hoped to have an economic stimulus bill passed and ready to be signed into law by the time President-Elect Barack Obama takes office on January 20th. However, congressional leaders now hope to have economic recovery legislation finalized before President’s Day in mid-February.

ASH has been working with the biomedical research community to urge President-Elect Obama’s transition team and congressional leaders to include additional funding for NIH in any economic recovery package. The funding for NIH being sought in the economic recovery package would fund additional competitively awarded research grants and help contribute to the economic strength of the nation by creating skilled jobs in communities nationwide. This funding would also build upon the $150 million in additional fiscal year 2008 funding for NIH that congressional supporters were able to secure in 2008 and would represent an important step towards reversing NIH's current downward funding trend.

Take Action: ASH members are encouraged to visit the ASH Advocacy Center to contact your representative and senators and urge them to recognize the importance of biomedical research to the nation’s economy and support the funding for NIH in the economic recovery package.

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