Federal Freeze on Grants and Loans Imperils Research
Research!America, a nonprofit medical and health research alliance, is deeply concerned by an Office of Management and Budget directive released Monday. This directive would have the effect of stopping research and public health activities that enjoy strong support among the American people.
A federal judge late this afternoon issued a stay against the directive that is in place until Monday, Feb. 3.
In a public opinion survey Research!America commissioned that was completed earlier this month and will be released soon, Americans want faster medical progress and innovation, not a shutdown. The survey found that 9 in 10 Americans across the political spectrum believe it is important for President Trump and Congress to assign a higher priority to medical progress. Americans overwhelmingly want more research into chronic conditions and infectious diseases. They are concerned China will overtake the U.S. as a global leader in science and technology (S&T), and they support greater federal investment in S&T.
These findings show that Americans want the opposite of a research and public health shutdown – they want our nation to work harder and faster to widen our lead against competitor nations and stop deadly and debilitating health threats. We urge the administration not to impede important research, safety, and other priorities the American people strongly support.
Contact Glenn O’Neal, Senior Director of Communications, at 571-482-2737 or [email protected] with press inquiries.