Tom Harkin: “I am pleased to stand with my colleague and subcommittee chairman, Senator Specter, to offer this important amendment to…”

“I am pleased to stand with my colleague and subcommittee chairman, Senator Specter, to offer this important amendment to the budget resolution. We stand at the cusp of a revolution that I believe will result in the overthrow of disease and disability in this country. At no time in our history have we been so close to major advances in the fight against killer diseases. Every day we read about major breakthroughs in medical research: AIDS vaccine, decoding the DNA letters that make up the human genome, new therapy for breast cancer, less invasive surgical techniques. This resolution is a direct result of our investment in medical research. Four years ago the Senate went on record 98-0 committing to double the NIH budget over 5 years. We are well on our way to doing that. Over the past 3 years, Senator Specter and I have made good on that pledge by providing the biggest increases ever for medical research. Last year we were able to provide an unprecedented $2.5 billion, or 15-percent increase, for NIH. We worked hard to make it happen, and I thank all of my Senate colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, who worked with us on this historic accomplishment. Unfortunately, if we pass this budget resolution as it is, we will fall short of the 15-percent increase needed to maintain the commitment that 98 Senators made to doubling the NIH budget over 5 years.”