On April 30, the Senate Appropriations Committee hosted a bipartisan hearing titled “Biomedical Research: Keeping America’s Edge in Innovation,” focusing on the pivotal role of biomedical research in maintaining U.S. leadership in global scientific innovation. The session aimed to highlight the critical importance of continued investment in federal biomedical research agencies, with an emphasis on the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Opening Remarks
Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) opened the hearing by emphasizing the long-term benefits of supporting biomedical research, noting that such investments not only drive innovation but also yield significant returns for American families. She expressed concern over the potential destabilizing effects of recent budget proposals, particularly the administration’s suggestion to impose a 15 percent cap on NIH facilities and administration (F&A) cost reimbursements. Collins warned that such cuts could severely undermine the U.S. biomedical research infrastructure, which relies on a robust support system to maintain its global edge.
Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) echoed these concerns, sharply criticizing the administration’s proposed cuts to NIH staffing and disruptions to crucial grant funding and peer review processes. Murray highlighted the urgency of maintaining research momentum, pointing out that slowing progress now could have disastrous consequences, especially when the potential for life-saving advancements is within reach.
Testimonies from Key Leaders in Biomedical Research
The hearing featured testimony from prominent leaders in science and medicine, each underscoring the vital need for sustained funding:
- Sudip Parikh, PhD, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), warned that proposed budget cuts could irreparably harm the U.S.’s capacity to innovate. He emphasized that ongoing support for biomedical research is essential to advancing health outcomes and maintaining global competitiveness in science.
- Hermann Haller, MD, President of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, discussed the impact of NIH-funded research in developing innovative therapies, especially in cancer research. He stressed that continued federal funding is essential to sustaining such advancements.
- Cartier Esham, PhD, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, highlighted the critical need for federal support to ensure that regulatory bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can effectively monitor and approve new treatments. Esham emphasized the importance of collaboration among research institutions, regulatory agencies, and the private sector to bring biomedical innovations to market.
- Barry Paul Sleckman, MD, PhD, Director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, echoed Haller’s comments, underscoring NIH’s vital role in funding clinical trials and building research infrastructure for cancer treatment.
- Emily Stenson, a patient advocate and mother of a pediatric cancer survivor, gave a deeply personal testimony. She shared how her daughter, Charlie, benefited from a clinical trial funded by NIH, stressing that continued federal investment provides hope for families and improves health outcomes nationwide.
Bipartisan Consensus on the Importance of Biomedical Research
Throughout the hearing, a clear bipartisan consensus emerged, with senators from both sides of the aisle voicing concern over the proposed funding cuts and reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding federal investments in biomedical research.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) acknowledged the necessity of fiscal responsibility but cautioned that drastic cuts could impede scientific progress. He argued that efficient spending is possible at NIH without sacrificing future biomedical innovation.
Similarly, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) raised concerns about the impact of funding reductions on early-career scientists and the broader U.S. research community. She warned that cuts could not only hinder scientific progress but also undermine confidence in American research at a critical time for global health leadership.
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) illustrated the tangible impact of NIH funding by spotlighting the work of the UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. Britt emphasized the need for continued investment to ensure that promising research translates into life-saving therapies.
On the Democratic side, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) broadened the discussion by expressing concern about how cuts to U.S. foreign aid could affect the nation’s ability to respond to global health threats. She asked the expert panel how such reductions might undermine the U.S.’s leadership in biomedical research, noting the interconnectedness of global health security and biomedical innovation.
According to the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, a second hearing will be scheduled in the future, where administration officials will discuss the federal government’s role in advancing biomedical innovation.
