ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥

Continuing to Lead Biomedical Advancements through a Strong Investment in the NIH

We thank Congress for its longstanding, bipartisan support for the NIH and for its commitment to basic, translational and clinical microbial research funded through multiple institutes and centers, particularly through NIAID. Sustaining our investments at NIH will enable the U.S. to seize the unparalleled scientific opportunities in microbial research that lie before us, including by training the next generation of biomedical researchers. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences’ (NIGMS) Division of Training and Workforce Development supports individuals and institutions that foster research training and the development of a strong biomedical research workforce through a variety of programs. These programs, including the Maximizing Investigators’ Research (MIRA) program, the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program, the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and many others at NIH and NIGMS, provide individual and institutional support to build the pipeline for the biomedical research workforce, including in rural areas. These initiatives are paramount to advancing human health. 

It is of utmost importance to prepare for and rapidly respond to future pandemics and other high-consequence biological threats. The only way we will be equipped to address the demands that future infectious disease outbreaks will place on our society is through support of biomedical research at NIH. This includes support for facilities and administration costs (indirect costs). Since FY18, language inhibiting changes to indirect costs has been in effect and must remain so for FY26 and beyond. An across-the-board cap of 15% on indirect costs will devastate scientific research in the U.S, which supports buildings, equipment, maintenance and other operations that are vital to research institutions. The same institutions are among the largest employers and a main economic driver in nearly every state. 

NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic and allergic diseases. For more than 60 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the U.S. NIAID funding supports research to overcome pressing health concerns in our country like viral, bacterial and fungal diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis and Valley fever. Research funding at NIAID is also critical in combating the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

CDC’s Indispensable Role in Preventing and Controlling Infectious Disease

Programs and activities supported by the CDC are instrumental in protecting the health of the American people. States and local communities rely on CDC for accurate information, direction and resources in preparation for public health emergencies. We urge Congress to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure to detect and prevent domestic and global infectious disease outbreaks and the development of antimicrobial resistance.

NCEZID is responsible for the prevention and control of a wide range of infectious diseases, including anthrax, Ebola and foodborne diseases. Three areas that ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ would like to highlight within NCEZID are advanced molecular detection technology, wastewater surveillance and enhancing laboratory capacity to combat AMR. The Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) program brings cutting-edge genomic sequencing technology to the front lines of public health by harnessing the power of next-generation sequencing and high-performance computing to study pathogens. With stronger base funding, the AMD program can continue to promote innovation, expand workforce development and sustain the Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence. ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ requests the following report language be included in the final FY26 Labor-H report for AMD:

• Advanced Molecular Detection—The Committee provides $50 million for the Advanced Molecular Detection program. The Committee believes it is critical to boost U.S. genetic surveillance and viral sequencing to effectively respond to future public health challenges associated with novel and evolving infectious diseases, seasonal threats, antimicrobial resistance and foodborne pathogens. The increase in funding will sustain existing work made possible through supplemental appropriations, including the 5 Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence (PGCoE) that aim to better prevent, control and respond to microbial threats of public health importance. It will also maintain program capacity to take on multiple threats at a time, improve disease detection tools and embed this expertise at the state level.

The National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) within the CDC’s NCEZID has been a critical tool for tracking infectious diseases across the country and protecting Americans from outbreaks, including seasonal influenza, H5N1 and mpox. Since 2020, the CDC has been able to build wastewater surveillance capacity through supplemental funding; however, the program will deplete the last of its supplemental funding in FY26 without additional appropriations by Congress. ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ requests $120 million for the NCEZID’s Emerging Infectious Diseases program to support the infrastructure and expertise needed to conduct wastewater surveillance in order to detect, prevent and respond to outbreaks. Wastewater surveillance is increasingly important as Americans rely on at-home tests for infectious diseases and avian flu that impact hard-to-reach populations who may not seek medical care.

Antimicrobial resistance is a top public health threat in the U.S., with the CDC reporting an economic toll of $4.6 billion in annual health care costs for treating 6 of the top AMR threats. ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ recommends Congress appropriate $400 million for the Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative at the CDC to build domestic and global laboratory capacity to monitor and detect infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistant pathogens. The CDC’s Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory Network is an effort between U.S. labs to identify, track and respond to AMR threats. Since antimicrobial resistant pathogens are not confined by geographic borders, we also ask for your support in improving supply chains and promoting regional collaboration and networks through the CDC’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory and Response Network, which was launched in 2021 to improve the detection of existing and emerging AMR threats outside of the U.S.

ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ is increasingly concerned about the current administration’s halt of federal science funding and communications at NIH and CDC, as well as the removal of federal agency staff. These actions have and will continue to have adverse effects on scientific progress and public health. ÃÞ»¨ÌÇÖ±²¥ is also gravely concerned about NIH reform proposals to overhaul existing institutes and centers as well as a potential ban on gain of function research. The usage of gain of function research techniques has positively impacted human health, including the creation of vaccines and cancer therapies that save lives and can assist in combating the recent outbreak of H5N1. We also continue to advocate for the importance of oversight and safety standards for this type of research. Under the current public health landscape in the U.S., it is imperative that Congress support these activities within the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.