House and Senate Negotiating Final FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill; Contact Congress to Ensure Funding for NIH Is Included

June 4, 2008 – House and Senate negotiators are working to draft a final version of legislation to provide funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate-passed version of the legislation also includes additional fiscal year (FY) funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Although chiefly a vehicle for war funding, the final FY 2008 supplemental appropriations bill will also likely include significant funding for a number of domestic priorities, including NIH. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Labor-Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, successfully sought the inclusion of an additional $400 million in FY 2008 funding for NIH in the Senate-passed version of the bill. According to Senator Harkin, this funding would allow for approximately 700 additional research grants this year.

However, because the House-passed version of the bill does not currently contain any similar funding for NIH, it is important for you to contact your Senators and Representative to ensure the final bill contains this important funding. Please visit the ASH Advocacy Center to take action to help influence the process and support increased funding for NIH.