August 2012 Appropriations Update

It’s August and an election year, where does federal funding for research stand? 

Before Congress adjourned for recess, an agreement was reached between House and Senate Democrats and Republicans to pass a six month Continuing Resolution that will fund the first six months of Fiscal Year 2013 at FY 2012 levels; in other words, flat funding. While the members of Congress on the Appropriations Committees made progress earlier in the year in completing their funding bills, only six bills passed the full House while none made it to the Senate floor. Many fault this inability to come to decisions on the visible acrimony within Congress.

Although the House and Senate bills that fund NIH and CDC did not pass (thus the CR), it was disturbing to see the prescriptive language that was included in the House Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee bill where under the Office of the NIH Director, Congress indicated how NIH should spend its research dollars. It went on to restrict travel funds within the Office of the Director and completely prohibit NIH from using any funds for economic research, programs, projects or activities. This directive language is very unusual in an appropriations bill as Congress has historically not specified to this level how an agency manages grants. While this bill did NOT pass, a move in this direction could pose serious concerns for the science and research communities as NIH would have less authority to determine the most essential research priorities.

Congress will return to Washington in September (for one week) to finalize the appropriations deal with the goal of avoiding a government shutdown, especially in an election year. Even though this deal is on the table, nothing has been signed, and it remains important for Members of Congress to hear from the scientific community (i.e., constituents) back home about the value of tropical medicine/global health programs at NIH, CDC and DOD.

Any deal to avoid a government shutdown is great news, however, this agreement as it stand now does nothing to address the looming sequester. Sequestration is a separate issue from fiscal year funding. Sequestration, which Congress imposed upon itself, goes into effect on January 1, 2012, if it cannot find other avenues to reduce spending. Recent estimates show that sequestration would mean anywhere from 11 to 14 percent across the board cuts to all programs—including tropical medicine/global health.

There is still time for Congress to work to address sequestration and protect these important programs.  Members of Congress must hear from the science community, individually and collectively about the important role that tropical medicine/global health efforts play for the U.S., specifically on research and development jobs and economic development in your state. Policymakers are hearing from other constituencies about the negative impact sequestration will have on their industry. They must also hear from us. Take a few minutes and call or email your Members’ office, ask them to stop sequestration before it destroys past investments and successes in global health research and development.