We All Must Engage
Research!America is deeply concerned by the new administration’s actions and announcements that threaten our nation’s ability to combat deadly and debilitating health threats. It is important to engage with the Trump Administration, members of Congress, and each other to ensure the consequences of these actions are clear. We want to hear from you. If you are with a Research!America member organization, please join our next alliance member-only meeting over Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at noon ET. Email Jacqueline Lagoy to receive the Zoom registration link.
On the Hill – Testimony: Earlier this week, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled: The State of U.S. Science and Technology: Ensuring U.S. Global Leadership. Research!America Board Chair and AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh testified: “Last week, the announcement of an abrupt spending freeze on science and technology funding broke trust and hurt the S&T enterprise,” he said. “This is the kind of action that, even if brief, can have a lasting negative impact.” Other witnesses included Heather Wilson, PhD, member of the VAST task force, the National Science Board, and president of The University of Texas at El Paso. I highly encourage you to watch the hearing and read all the testimony here.
Confirmation Votes: After a contentious hearing, the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 along party lines to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. The full Senate has yet to schedule a confirmation vote.
OMB: This week, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan extended a temporary restraining order against the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) plan to freeze federal loans, grants, and other financial assistance. For a detailed timeline of events surrounding the OMB funding freeze, please refer to our updated overview.
Clock is Ticking: The March 14 government funding deadline is rapidly approaching, making it crucial that advocates engage with Congress to emphasize the importance of robust funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health and science agencies. Use our 3-minute advocacy resource to contact your senators’ offices.
Exploring the Capability and Potential of Genetically Targeted Technology: RNA therapies are a new class of medications that use RNA, a type of genetic material, to treat or prevent diseases. Please join us on Wednesday, March 5, for an in-person breakfast briefing where we will explore the powerful potential of genetically targeted technology and the profoundly important impact of such RNA-based therapies as antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and RNAi on treatment and prevention. This briefing will be held on Capitol Hill in 2044 Rayburn House Office Building from 8:30 a.m to 10 a.m. Space is limited, register today.
Who Do You Trust: The 2025 national survey we recently released contains a trove of public opinion data, including who the public trusts when it comes to medical and health information. While doctors, nurses and health care providers come out on top with 89% of respondents viewing them as trustworthy, scientists are also viewed highly, with 84% of the public seeing them as trustworthy.
This finding squares with that of a recent survey released by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and Gallup that Americans chose health care providers and scientific researchers (along with the CDC) as their most trusted source of public health information. A fascinating global survey published in Nature Human Behavior last month examines trust in scientists across 68 countries. While trust in science is generally strong across the world, the country-specific differences are worth a look. As for the U.S. – we are number 12 in trust. Here’s a good summary of the global study.
ICYMI: If you missed it earlier this week, take some time to watch the conversation we had with Dr. Alfred Sommer, Dean Emeritus, University Distinguished Service Professor, Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and recipient of Research!America’s 2025 Outstanding Achievement in Public Health Award. You can view the discussion here.
Honoring Research Advocacy Stars: Speaking of Dr. Sommer, he is one of the advocacy stars we will be honoring on Wednesday, March 12, at the National Academy of Sciences during our 2025 Advocacy Awards program. Our nominees include former NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., freelance journalist Elizabeth Cohen, and Dr. Carolyn Clancy of the Veterans Health Administration. We will be honoring individuals who are driving innovation, advocating for progress, and making waves in the world of medical, health, and scientific research and innovation. Take a moment to review the full list of champions and advocacy stars we are honoring. The evening promises to be an inspiring night. You can register now.