WASHINGTON, DC -- The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is releasing the following statements on the Administration's proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 federal budget for biological research programs supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The ASM is the largest single life science organization in the world, comprised of over 41,000 scientists in various disciplines including academia, industry and government.
ASM supports 15 percent increase for the National Institutes of Health<
The American Society for Microbiology recognizes with appreciation President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's proposed budget increase of $1 billion in FY 2001 for the National Institutes of Health.
"The Administration's proposed increase for the NIH is an important step in the direction of achieving a doubling of the NIH's budget and reflects President Clinton's and Vice President Gore's continuing commitment to improving the nation's health through medical research," says Dr. Gail Cassell, Chair of the ASM's Public and Scientific Affairs Board.
The ASM has endorsed a $2.7 billion increase for the NIH in FY 2001, a 15 percent increase in funding which would bring the NIH budget to a level of $20.6 billion. Because of the unprecedented opportunities in basic and clinical research, the ASM supports a greater investment in medical research and the goal to double the NIH budget by 2003.
"Public health in the United States and worldwide has benefited from broad based bipartisan support by the Administration and Congress," says Cassell. "Leadership from Congressman Porter, Senator Specter, Senator Harkin, Congressman Obey, Congressman Young, Senator Stevens and other members of Congress, making possible major funding increases for the NIH in the past two years, has helped set the agency on a steady and stronger fiscal path. As we enter
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Contact: Janet Shoemaker
jshoemaker@asmusa.org
202-942-9294
American Society for Microbiology
6-Feb-2000