Time Lost Is Progress Lost
The government shutdown became the second longest in U.S. history this week, with the Senate once again failing to advance a House-passed stopgap funding bill yesterday – its 12th failed vote on the measure. Congress remains deadlocked over how to end the shutdown and fund the government moving forward.
Even if lawmakers reach a deal soon, the current House-passed funding bill only extends through Nov. 21, which leaves little time for negotiators to complete full-year appropriations. Every day of this shutdown intensifies the hardships to Americans and allows U.S. priorities like lifesaving medical progress to languish. We urge President Trump and congressional leaders to treat time as the enemy and act now to forge a bipartisan solution.
ARPA-H Leadership: Earlier this week, Alicia Jackson, Ph.D., was sworn in to lead the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Dr. Jackson brings significant public and private sector experience to the role, including serving as founding deputy director of the DARPA Biotechnology Office. Read more about her appointment here. Stay up to date with developments at ARPA-H with our tracker, available here.
H-1B Visa Update: The Trump Administration released new guidance on Monday affirming that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee will apply only to new applicants living outside the U.S. For these new visas, employers will be required to pay the fee after the worker’s visa is approved and before they enter the country to begin employment.
Then, Now, Imagine: The late John Porter, former congressman and Research!America board chair, envisioned what I believe is one of the most effective storytelling frames for conveying the power of research: “Then, Now, Imagine.” In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we used this frame to convey how far we’ve come and how far we can go in combating breast cancer if we remain vigilant and continue to invest in research. We hope you will re-post this graphic from our X account and think about applying the “Then, Now, Imagine” frame on other challenges, to capture the power of taxpayer-supported, research-fueled progress in your advocacy going forward!
Speaking of Advocacy… We recently asked fellow advocates: Why is medical research important to you? We compiled the powerful responses we received into a short, patient-focused video. I hope you’ll take a minute to watch this moving video, and help us reach more viewers by re-sharing it on Facebook and Instagram.
Power Your Public Engagement: We’re excited to announce that the next cycle of Civic Engagement Microgrants and Public Engagement Content Awards will launch on Monday, Oct. 27. Bring your public engagement ideas to life. Apply for a microgrant to support your science communication and outreach efforts. Not sure which award you should apply for? Learn about our civic science programs here, and access our FAQs.
Want to learn even more about the types of projects supported by our microgrants? Join us on Friday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m to noon ET for a webinar featuring three recipients of Research!America’s inaugural Public Engagement Content Awards. These early career scientists will discuss their efforts to create and implement open-access curricula designed to help researchers connect effectively with non-scientific audiences. Register now.
Fall Events: Despite the government gridlock, we are moving forward with our fall programming. Save the dates for our upcoming events:
- We will host an alliance member-only meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at noon ET, with Adrienne Hallett, director of the Coalition for Life Sciences and Mark Vieth, senior vice president at CRD Associates. With uncertainty surrounding the duration of the government shutdown and FY26 appropriations still in flux, Adrienne and Mark will share the latest insights from Capitol Hill and discuss the implications for NIH, the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and other research and public health priorities. Email Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom registration link.
- We will host a Health Services Research (HSR) Capitol Hill Briefing on Monday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET (breakfast will be served). This briefing will shed light on the role of HSR, an undervalued and underutilized area of research critical to ensuring that medical progress translates into patient benefits. The briefing will be held at 2044 Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. Register here.
Support Our Work: We receive frequent feedback and insights about this weekly letter. Your feedback matters to us and your financial support does too. Your support enables us to provide this resource, host alliance member-only meetings, and engage in intensive advocacy side by side with you. Consider a donation to help Research!America continue and expand the resources we provide and advocacy we do. And know that we appreciate your interest, engagement, and partnership. Donate now.