A Key Election Ahead
An Important Sign-on Opportunity: With the consequential U.S. midterm elections coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3 – the impact of which could be felt for years – now is the time to make our voices impossible to ignore. To aid the groundswell of opposition to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed rule, the American Association of Universities (AAU) is leading this sign-on letter for local and national organizations. Importantly, the letter is open to organizations from any sector that would be affected by the proposed rule, not just the research community. Learn more here about the rule’s harmful impact on sectors ranging from firefighters to small farmers to patients to tribal communities to police and many, many others. Those authorized to sign on behalf of local or national groups can do so here. Act quickly because the letter will be sent soon after the election. And speaking of the election…
Russ’s Corner
Next week’s midterm elections are important on many levels, including whether our nation leads or lags behind in medical innovation. Americans care about the answer. Our survey earlier this year found that nearly 9 out of 10 Americans – from across the political spectrum – said it was important for their candidates in this election to champion faster medical progress.
For the research community and the patients we serve, the desired outcome is an assertive Congress of medical research champions. The current Congress put the brakes on a proposed OMB rule, which would be devastating to research and innovation in this country, by delaying its implementation until Dec. 11. We need Congress to take the next step by ending this rule and stopping OMB’s overreach.
The stakes are high. We will be watching next week’s election closely. To help make sense of the results, join us Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. ET for a special post-election fireside chat with renowned political commentator and journalist Steve Clemons. Watch your email or contact Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom registration link for this member-only discussion. Whatever the outcome, let’s work together to advocate for a healthier future for all Americans.
Russ
Day of Action, Post-election: For those of you who cannot sign on as local or national organizations to the letter above, there are still opportunities to push back on OMB. One opportunity is the national Day of Action on Nov. 10, organized by the National Council of Nonprofits. On that day advocates across the country will contact their members of Congress and post on social media.
A Lesser Known Effect of the Proposed Rule: Diseases don’t respect borders, and closing our eyes to global health threats won’t keep Americans safe. Yet OMB’s proposed rule would forestall important international research partnerships, leaving Americans more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Dengue – a disease that is far more prevalent outside of the U.S. – is a case in point. Florida is experiencing its largest outbreak in decades, with more than 425 locally acquired cases this year, more than double the previous state record. Puerto Rico has reported more than 900 cases. In Florida, locally acquired cases now outnumber travel-associated cases, a troubling sign that dengue is spreading within the U.S. International research partnerships are essential to understanding, preventing, and treating diseases that threaten Americans at home and our military abroad. Read our dengue fact sheet to learn more.
Civic Science Virtual Information Sessions: We’re currently accepting applications for our Civic Science Microgrants and Awards Program. We will host virtual information sessions in November to help answer any questions. The first session will be on Friday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. ET, and the second session will be on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. ET. Register today!
Join Research!America: If you haven’t already, join our multi-sector alliance! The membership process is straightforward, the benefits are compelling, and your participation informs and intensifies our community’s influence on and off Capitol Hill. Email Associate Director of Membership and Development Operations Donald Cook for more information.