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Dr. Bucshon votes to fund life-saving research, open parks as Senate continues to stall

Washington, DC, October 2, 2013

On Wednesday, the House passed separate funding bills that continue funding the vital life-saving research done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and open our national parks and museums.  The bills are awaiting Senate approval and the President’s signature.

Rep. Bucshon released the following statement:

“While the Senate Democrats and President refuse to negotiate with House Republicans and force a government shutdown, we are working to protect the American people by passing legislation that should find common ground among everyone,” said Bucshon. “Tonight, we passed bipartisan legislation to mandate that life-saving research continue at NIH and we open our national parks and museums like the World War II memorial.  These are areas where we can all agree.  If the President can negotiate with dictators in Iran and Syria, he can surely meet Republicans at the table to end this shutdown.” 

According to a CBS report, the NIH Director estimated that the agency would be forced to “…turn away about 200 patients, 30 of them children” each week if the Democrats continue to force a shutdown. Many of these patients have “exhausted other options.” (CBSNews; 10/1/2013)

Today, CNN reporter Dana Bash pressed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on why the Senate refuses to consider H.J. Res. 73, the Research for Lifesaving Cures Act, by asking, “If you can help one child who has cancer, why wouldn’t you do it?” Senator Reid shockingly responded by saying, “Why would we want to do that?” Watch the full exchange here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0lFyFJeZSY.

The NIH is the primary hub for federal health research and provides tens of billions of dollars in grants to tens of thousands of scientists in thousands of research institutions.  To read the CRS breakdown of NIH functions, click here.

BACKGROUND:

Bucshon sent a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House requesting that his pay be withheld until an agreement is reached is the government is opened. Read the letter here.

Full text of each bill can be found by clicking on these hyperlinks: H.J.Res 73 – Research for Lifesaving Cures Act and H.J. Res. 70 – Open Our Nation’s Parks and Museums Act.