03/11/2025

ASH Action Alert: Contact Congress Today in Support of Federal Research Funding

Deadline March 14

As Congress faces a deadline of this Friday, March 14, to pass legislation extending funding for federal agencies and programs, we are once again calling on you to reach out to you elected officials to share the importance of research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

ASH continues to lead advocacy on behalf of hematologists in Washington, but we need your help. The House and Senate will soon be considering a continuing resolution (CR) to further extend funding for NIH and other federal agencies. The current text of the CR contains significant cuts to fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding levels for many non-defense discretionary programs. Although funding for NIH remains close to FY 2024 levels in the CR, many other important research and public health programs will receive significant cuts in funding. Your elected officials need to hear from you about the need to finalize FY 2025 funding and adequately fund public health agencies and programs at the highest possible dollar amount and to ensure appropriated funds are spent.

Please take action today!

Contact Congress – Enter your information below to quickly send a message to your elected officials about the importance of sustained funding for NIH and other federal health programs. Please modify the letter to provide examples of why this funding is so important in your district and state. Make an even bigger impact by calling your Member of Congress. Connect with your elected officials through the United States Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and share the key points outlined below.

• Finalize the FY25 appropriations process and avoid a shutdown.
• Adequately fund and protect public health agencies and programs – including NIH – at the highest possible dollar amount, and ensure appropriated funds are spent as directed.
• Do not codify harmful cuts that were unilaterally implemented through impoundment.

Do not impose large-scale restructuring of agencies without a bipartisan, consensus-driven approach through authorizing committees.

TAKE ACTION

Involve Your Patients – Congress needs to hear from patients and patient advocacy groups about funding for medical research and how critical NIH-funded research is to the development of new medical treatments for patients with blood diseases. Invite your patients to participate in ASH's patient advocacy campaign to send a letter to their Senators and Representative.

HAVE YOUR PATIENTS TAKE ACTION

Share Your Story – Take ASH’s anonymous survey about how recent executive orders and delays in funding have affected patients with hematologic conditions and hematology research. We plan to share these real-world examples with members of Congress and the Administration.

SHARE YOUR STORY