A group of 99 members of the House of Representatives, including Washington’s Adam Smith (9th District), signed-on to a letter to House appropriators asking them to provide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a 7% budget increase in FY11. The President’s FY11 budget request seeks a 3% increase for NIH. The debate over funding for NIH will play out over much of the sping and summer. The letter initiated by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), states that, “NIH research is a critical part of meeting health care challenges, strengthening our economy, inspiring the next generation of scientists and researchers, and maintaining our nation’s leadership in innovation.”
Some within the beltway have speculated that mid-term elections could result in a continuing resolution or level funding for FY11. However, it remains too early in the process to draw such a conclusion, and Congress is moving forward in regular order with the appropriations process.