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Defining Moment

The killing of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration agents, a loss that follows a string of violent and tragic incidents in Minneapolis and across the United States, has intensified the debate around the conduct of ICE and other immigration officials.

Lawmakers are addressing calls for additional conditions on immigration enforcement practices. That’s why earlier today, a procedural vote in the Senate failed to advance a six-bill funding package that includes the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations bills. As of this writing, the White House and Congress are still negotiating to prevent a partial government shutdown, but that is not the sole metric of success here, nor should it be. Human lives, dignity, and rights are at stake.

This budget chart tracks the NIH, CDC, AHRQ, and BARDA funding levels included in the Labor-HHS section of the package, as well as the already enacted funding levels for FDA and NSF. This chartprovides NIH institute and center-level funding data. See this chart for Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) funding levels, which are included in the DoD appropriations section of the package.

Hearing on NIH: NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is scheduled to testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions this Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. ET. Watch the hearing, which is titled: “Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures,” online here.

Human Tissue and Stem Cell Research: We have updated our Timeline of Administration Actions to reflect the recently announced ban on fetal tissue research. NIH has also paused new submissions to the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry and issued a request for information (RFI) seeking input on several areas related to the use of human embryonic stem cells in research. The deadline to submit a comment for this RFI is April 24. Read more here.

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Support NSF-sponsored Science: NSF’s National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) provides research and data that is critical for public safety, the economy, and preparing for dangerous storm systems. Unfortunately, NCAR is at risk of being dismantled. Sign on to this letter from the American Geophysical Union to support the preservation of NCAR.

Honoring Research Champions: We are less than two months away from our Advocacy Awards event where we will honor a stellar group of champions driving innovation and making the case for research. Learn more about each of our honorees here, and join us on Tuesday, March 10, at the National Academy of Sciences. Register today!

Alliance Member-only Meeting: Join us on Thursday, Feb. 5, at noon ET for an alliance member-only meeting featuring a Hill update and a discussion of key public health policy developments. We’ll also leave time for other timely R&D issues and member questions. Email Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom registration link.A blue box with the title, "A Note from the Research!America Board of Directors," that reads, "Mary Woolley has dedicated decades to advancing research, innovation, and public engagement in advocacy. The Mary Woolley Leadership in Research Advocacy Fund will sustain this work by supporting emerging leaders and recognizing outstanding advocates who turn research into solutions that improve health, prosperity, and security. By donating to this fund today, you help to further Mary's vision for decades to come."Calling All Research!America Members: We want to hear from you! Our 2026 membership survey has been sent to the primary contact at each of our member organizations. Thank you to those who have already participated. We hope even more members will complete the survey by Jan. 31. Please contact Donald Cook, Associate Director of Membership and Development Operations, if your organization would like to complete the survey. Your responses inform our advocacy and programming – and we look forward to providing you with even more value.

Remembering a Public Health Champion: We are saddened by the passing of Dr. William H. Foege, a former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a deeply respected leader in public health, Dr. Foege played a critical role in the global campaign that successfully eradicated smallpox in the 1970s. But his impact on global health didn’t stop at smallpox; his leadership also contributed to an astounding increase – from 20% to 80% – in global childhood immunization coverage. Read these wonderful tributes from the APHA and in The New York Times (subscription required). We extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His contributions to public health will live on for generations to come.

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