Patrick Leahy: “I would like to take this chance to thank Chairman Stevens for his leadership in funding the Army Peer-Reviewed Breast…”

“I would like to take this chance to thank Chairman Stevens for his leadership in funding the Army Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program at $150 million in this bill. I would also like to take a moment to enter into a colloquy with the distinguished chair of the Appropriations Committee about the report language in the committee report on cost-sharing in such medical research. Mr. Chairman, when I read this report language, it seems clear that the intent of the language is to determine if there is some way to contain medical research costs within the defense budget. We all know that the Army Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program, BCRP, has proven to be efficient and highly effective, and the committee has supported its efforts strongly. The flexibility of this program allows the Army to administer it in such a way as to maximize its limited resources. The BCRP is able to quickly respond to current scientific advances, and is able to fill gaps by focusing on research that is traditionally underfunded. It is also responsive, not just to the scientific community, but also to the public.”