FASEB Shares Feedback on Congressional RFI Regarding Next-Generation Cures

By: Naomi Charalambakis
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
On August 6, FASEB provided feedback to Reps. Diana DeGette and Larry Bucshon in response to their Request for Information (RFI) regarding ways Congress can advance science and the next generation of treatments. The RFI included questions on how to further the goals of the 21st Century Cures Act, a law passed in 2016 that aims to accelerate scientific understanding and spur innovation. To build on the progress of this initiative and sustain U.S. leadership in science and technology, FASEB’s comments highlighted five areas where additional reforms or support mechanisms at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) could help achieve this goal:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Sustaining stable funding and operational support;
• Supporting the biomedical research workforce;
• Improving the diversity of the biomedical research workforce;
• Promoting data management and sharing;
• Reducing regulatory burden in biomedical research.

Before offering specific recommendations on these topics, FASEB acknowledged the House Energy and Commerce Committee leadership’s framework to reform NIH. To ensure suggested changes do not pose unintended consequences on the biomedical enterprise—including the consolidation of existing institutes and centers—FASEB urges Congress to solicit stakeholder feedback and prioritize informed decision-making. 

Other recommendations highlighted in the response center on strengthening support for the research workforce, particularly early-career researchers. For example, FASEB encourages Congress to urge NIH to find solutions that ensure postdoctoral scholars have access to standard employee benefits. Additionally, to diversify the biomedical workforce, FASEB underscores the need for Congressional collaboration with NIH and other federal agencies to address the barriers international scholars face in attaining their degrees and post-degree occupations, particularly complex immigration policies. Finally, FASEB emphasizes continued attention toward fostering safe and inclusive research environments free from harassment, bullying, retaliation, and other hostile working conditions.