Several congressional champions for research toured research facilities in their districts during the August congressional recess to reinforce the importance of robust federal support for research. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) met with researchers at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis on August 8 to discuss efforts to increase funding for medical research.

“Exciting health research is being done right here in Missouri at Washington University in St. Louis,” Senator Blunt shared in a Facebook post. “I have visited campus with National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences Director Dr. Austin to discuss the impact federal investment is having on the groundbreaking research that’s underway in our state.”

Representative James McGovern (D-MA) visited University of Massachusetts Medical School officials in Worcester on August 16 and called proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “a threat to this city’s and this state’s ability to thrive in the face of global competition.” Rep. McGovern highlighted the fact that Massachusetts ranks first in per-capita research funding from the NIH.

In Gainesville, Florida, Represenative Ted Yoho (R-Fl) toured the University of Florida Health Cancer Center on August 3. “Our purpose is to find out about the research and development that they’re doing,” he said. “These guys are on the cutting edge.” Rep. Yoho toured labs and spoke with researchers who conduct clinical trials for difficult to treat cancers.