Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee's hearing on "Investments in Medical Research at Five Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health":
I thank Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole for holding this hearing.
And I welcome our esteemed panelists, Dr. Tromberg, Dr. Perez-Stable, Dr. Langevin, Dr. Austin, Dr. Brennan, and, of course, Dr. Collins.
Earlier in the year, the Trump Administration submitted a budget that would cut the NIH by almost $5 billion. It’s crystal clear - President Trump has no regard for the National Institutes of Health and the cutting-edge work you do to save lives, advance cures, and improve the health of Americans.
Despite the President’s heartless efforts to gut the NIH, we have responded resoundingly. Unlike him, my colleagues and I prioritize the health of all Americans, and we are on track to invest billions more than the President would for our world-class National Institutes of Health.
Our House-passed fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill would provide $2 billion more for the NIH, including a critical across-the-board increase for all NIH Institutes and Centers. This would allow the NIH to better respond to scientific breakthroughs that result from astonishing foundational research done at institutes such as those with us today.
We have the distinct pleasure to hear from several Institute directors who are leading innovation in their respective fields. Not only will we hear about the encouraging advances achieved to date, but also the exciting innovations that are just over the horizon. We are talking about lifesaving achievements, that with our continued commitment and investment, could soon be on our doorstep thanks to the NIH’s extraordinary work.
Rest assured, the Administration’s attempts to slash your budgets will not stand. We remain committed to ensuring you have the tools and resources you need to deliver for the American people.
Thank you for appearing today. I look forward to our discussion, and I thank you for all that you do to improve all our lives.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
