Political Quotes

“The NIH, of course, is a national treasure, which sets the standard for cutting-edge biomedical research in our country. Its breakthroughs have saved the lives of countless Americans and remains a source of hope for millions more across the country. While the NIH does, indeed, under this bill, receive the necessary funding increase for scientific research and medical treatments, NIH's buildings, the places where the scientists conduct their research and where medical professionals provide patients with their treatments, have fallen into alarming and embarrassing disrepair and decay. There have been significant issues with flooding, broken fire sprinklers, deteriorating plumbing systems, and massive water pipe ruptures. A steam pipe leak flooded a basement where expensive equipment is stored. Last year, a clinic was evacuated when antifreeze began leaking from the ceiling. A corroded pipe had caused a flood of glycol--that is antifreeze--in the mechanical room, which can be seen in chart one. And in chart two, this is the flood that resulted from the gushing from the ceiling into the clinic below. This presented a very dangerous situation. So when I say that the NIH desperately needs funding for maintenance and repairs, we are not talking about minor aesthetic quibbles; we are talking about very serious structural renovations that are needed. $5 million is just a drop in the bucket in terms of what NIH actually needs, but we have to start somewhere.…”