Rally for Medical Research
Russ’s Corner
This week, hundreds of advocates descended on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of medical research as part of the Rally for Medical Research. Research!America was well represented by our policy and advocacy team, as well as our fellows who flew in for this event. This rally has been held for the past several years, but the threats facing the research ecosystem make this year’s event more pertinent than ever before.
For those unable to travel to Washington, D.C., for the rally or any other time, there’s another important way to make your voice heard this fall: speak directly with your members of Congress and their staff members. Constituents count; members of Congress are paying attention to the issues that matter to people in their districts and states. You don’t have to travel to Washington to have that conversation. Contact your representatives’ offices and request a virtual meeting to discuss the importance of medical research and the need to stop OMB’s proposed rule. A conversation with a constituent puts a local face on what can otherwise seem like an inside-the-Beltway policy debate.
Use our guide for tips on scheduling virtual meetings with your representatives. The guide also provides talking points and scripts to use during your meeting, as well as answers to common questions. Let us know how your meetings go: Send our team a message at [email protected].
Russ
On the Hill: On Tuesday, the House Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the Economy Act, which allows federal agencies to purchase goods and services from one another. In light of the recent NIH and Department of Defense (DOD) interagency agreement (IAA) and the reported use of these agreements to re-allocate AHRQ funding, Research!America submitted questions for the record about the nature and scope of these agreements.
The hearing was largely focused on ensuring these agreements are properly used across the federal government, not on specific cases like that of the NIH-DOD agreement. However, the themes discussed – including the importance of preventing these agreements from subverting congressional intent – spoke directly to concerns that have been raised about the NIH-DOD and AHRQ agreements. A recording is available here.
More On the Hill: The Senate HELP committee will hold a confirmation hearing next week for Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee to be Commissioner of the FDA. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Watch the HELP committee hearing here.
AHRQ Update: In advance of Senate Finance and HELP Committee hearings on the nomination of Chris Klomp to serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) issued a press release about a letter they previously sent to HHS Secretary Kenney raising concerns about canceled AHRQ grants.
During the hearings, Klomp fielded questions about these cancellations as well as the 75% reduction in staff and failure to spend FY26 AHRQ funds. In response, Klomp asserted that AHRQ is on track to spend 97% of its appropriated funds by the end of the fiscal year, just two weeks away. Disturbingly, it appears HHS may actually reallocate AHRQ dollars to other agencies through the use of interagency transfer agreements rather than use the funds as Congress intended. Senate Appropriations Co-Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) wrote to HHS Secretary Kennedy yesterday to express their concerns about the status of AHRQ funds. We will keep you apprised. Watch the Senate Finance Committee hearing here and the Senate HELP Committee hearing here.
Science and Innovation Caucus: Speaking of Sen. McCormick, he and Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) have formed the Senate Bipartisan Science and Innovation Caucus. The new caucus will focus on developing policies that promote U.S. leadership in science and technology. Use our action alert to encourage your senator to join this effort.
The 2026 National Health Research Forum Is Next Week: We are just a week away from Research!America’s 31st National Health Research Forum! Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C., for important conversations around the research that leads to medical progress. We will be releasing our latest medical and health research investment report, which looks at U.S. medical and health R&D spending by sector. The Forum is free but space is limited, so secure your spot today.
Golden Goose Awards: Put Sept. 28 on your calendar for the annual Golden Goose Awards. These awards honor researchers whose seemingly obscure, federally funded research has had a major impact on society. They are also a powerful reminder that the path to scientific progress is rarely clear at the outset. We may not be able to see the finish line when research begins, but uncovering new knowledge is often the first step toward advances we could not have anticipated. Register here.
Hear from BARDA Leadership: If you are with a Research!America alliance member organization, join us on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to noon ET for a Zoom fireside chat with Dr. Gary Disbrow, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), moderated by Research!America President and CEO Russ Paulsen. Please email Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom registration link. More on our webinars can be found here.
Sounding the Alarm on Sepsis: On Tuesday, Sept. 29, at noon ET, we are holding an alliance discussion on sepsis – which affects more than 1.7 million Americans each year – and the role patients and caregivers can play in research. Joining us are Don Smith, a sepsis survivor, and Megan Jones, director of community education and support at the Sepsis Alliance. 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.