PRESIDENT RELEASES HIS FY2009 BUDGET REQUEST

On February 4^th, the President released his budget request for FY2009.  He requested flat funding for NIH, hefty increases for NSF, DOE’s Office of Science and USDA’s National Research Initiative and decreases for VA’s Medical Research and Support program and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.  Complete budget information is available on the FASEB Budget Page.

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INSIDE (The Beltway) SCOOP – Gretchen Opper, Legislative Affairs Officer

In keeping with Dr. Palazzo's statement in FASEB's February 4^th news release, we’re clearly disappointed with the President’s request for flat funding for NIH.  At OSTP's budget rollout, Dr. Marburger, OSTP's Director, had some interesting comments about the flat funding.  When a reporter from Science asked Dr. Marburger for the logic behind the lack of an increase for NIH, Dr. Marburger replied that NIH is very large and that even with flat resources, NIH can greatly increase its assets through internal reorganization.  Dr. Marburger stated that Dr. Zerhouni has some great ideas about how to address the issue of redirecting funds within NIH and that he thinks Dr. Zerhouni should have greater control over the way NIH spends its money. 

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FASEB ISSUES ITS FY2009 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

Last week, on January 29^th, FASEB President Robert Palazzo, Ph.D., presided over the unveiling of FASEB’s annual report, Federal Funding for Biomedical and Related Life Sciences Research, FY2009.  This report, which FASEB developed through consultation with its 21 member societies and scientific experts, makes the case for sustainable funding for six federal science agencies:  NIH; NSF; DOE’s Office of Science; VA’s medical research program; USDA research; and NASA.  Dr. Palazzo stated that “FASEB’s strength lies in the dedication, diversity and knowledge of our membership, and through this report, we are delivering a clarion call about the importance of research to our nation and the world.”  Dr. Palazzo added that “although it might be politically expedient to seek a more modest funding level for the federal research agencies, this would be doing a grave disservice to the scientists whom we represent.”

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MOVING BEYOND SUPER TUESDAY WITH SCIENCECURES.ORG

FASEB has launched ScienceCures.org, an exciting new voter education initiative aimed at raising the profile of federal funding for biomedical research among the presidential candidates and the general public.  “When Presidential candidates are making speeches or answering questions about health and health care, we want to make sure that the National Institutes of Health and medical research are an integral part of that discussion,” said Robert Palazzo, Ph.D., FASEB President.  “Federal funding of biomedical research should be a high priority for the nation in 2008 and beyond.”

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HOUSE FRESHMAN BRIEFING

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, FASEB, the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association and the Alzheimer’s Association partnered with Representative Tim Walz’s (D-MN) office to sponsor a briefing for the Democratic Freshman class on how NIH impacts our nation’s health.  Congressman Walz is President of the Democratic Freshman class and represents the greater Rochester, MN area, which includes the Mayo Clinic.   

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FARM BILL INCHES TOWARD CONFERENCE

Although both the House and Senate have passed their versions of the Farm Bill, conference proceedings have begun amidst a showdown with the White House over tax provisions in the bill.  President Bush has threatened to veto both versions of the Farm Bill because of revenue they would generate via what he terms tax increases or via what Senate Agriculture Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) calls the closing of tax loopholes.

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HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE HEARING ON VISAS

On February 8^th, the House Committee on Science & Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Science Education, held a hearing on "Visas for Foreign Scholars and Students."  The purpose of the hearing was to " review the status of visas and other policies governing the entry into the U.S. of foreign students and scholars."  Witnesses testified from the Institute of Medicine, the Institute for International Education, Duke University's International Office and the State Department.  The six House Members in attendance were:  Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA); Ranking Member Vern Ehlers (R-MI); Randy Neugebauer (R-TX); Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD); Russ Carnahan (D-MO); and Gerald McNerney (D-CA).

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FASEB PUBLISHES BREAKTHROUGHS IN BIOSCIENCE ARTICLE ON THE HPV VACCINE FOR CERVICAL CANCER

FASEB has released the latest article in its Breakthroughs in Bioscience series, “Viruses, Cancer, Warts and All:  The HPV Vaccine for Cervical Cancer.”  Breakthroughs in Bioscience is a collection of articles and illustrations FASEB publishes and designs for non-scientists that explain recent developments in basic biomedical research and the way in which they are important to society.  FASEB distributes these articles to members of Congress, advocacy partners, educational organizations and patient advocacy groups. This most recent publication describes the scientific clues that established the connection between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer and ultimately resulted in a vaccine against this deadly disease.

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CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE

The House and Senate are in session.

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