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Update on NIH funding

I'm just posting this as an FYI. Of course, I'm a big advocate for NIH funding - big surprise there hugh. Right now, until the Senate and the committees between the House and the Senate get together, it's a little hard to know exactly where we are. At least it doesn't look like we're in for NIH cuts. That's a nice change.

Don't get me wrong. We have to find a way as a country to reduce our spending - but a lot of that is about spending smarter. I think the NIH is a smart investment in America's future, as well as mine.

This blurb came from the Genetic Alliance newsletter:



FY2010 Appropriations
On Tuesday, December 8, the House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Consolidated Appropriations bill by a vote of 221 to 202. The omnibus spending package is comprised of six spending bills totaling nearly $447 billion. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill includes $31.0 billion for the NIH, a $691.8 million increase from FY2009. FY2010 began October 1, 2009, however, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution earlier in the Fall to fund the majority of government programs, including the NIH, at FY2009 levels until December 18, 2009. Following the House vote, the Senate voted to suspend debate of healthcare reform in order to consider the omnibus spending package as early as this week. The conference agreement and summaries of the spending measures are available at
Appropriations.House.gov

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