November 21, 2011
The supercommittee’s failure to come to agreement is extremely disappointing but cannot be allowed to be the end of the story. Our elected officials still have the responsibility to put partisanship aside and do what’s best for our country---for our economy, our global competitiveness, and the health and well-being of our citizens. They must choose priorities for national investments going forward.
The mindless, irresponsible across-the-board cuts of the sequester would drain the lifeblood from our efforts to improve the health of our nation and could cause the loss of our 65-year leadership in science, technology, and innovation. Before January 1, 2013, Congress must pass legislation that addresses entitlement spending and our tax system -- and that does not undermine engines of innovation like the National Institutes of Health. Research is the catalyst for medical progress and economic stability. Our leaders of both parties must now step up and make the tough choices that protect the highest national priorities, which includes our world-wide leads in science and medical research.