Click here or the image above to watch Ranking Member Capito’s opening remarks from the hearing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), held a hearing to review the president’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Below is the opening statement of Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you, Chair Baldwin.

“Dr. Bertagnolli, thank you for being here today and congratulations on your fairly new role as NIH Director.

“I also want to thank you for coming to West Virginia in March to see first-hand all of the amazing research we are doing at West Virginia University, including seeing the work Dr. Rezai and his team are doing to combat Alzheimer’s disease and addiction.

“As you witnessed, my home state of West Virginia is a rural state that has some of the highest rates of health challenges in the country. A partnership with NIH is critical for us to make improvements.

“Dr. Volkow, Dr. Hodes, Dr. Rathmell, Dr. Marrazzo, and Dr. Gibbons, thank you for being here today to discuss the many important health issues facing our nation. Many of you have been to West Virginia as well and for that I am grateful.  

“This will be a challenging funding year, but biomedical research at NIH is a priority for me and has long been a bicameral, bipartisan priority.

“The budget proposes $49.8 billion in funding for NIH, including 21st Century CURES funding and ARPA-H. The budget also proposes an additional $1.5 billion in mandatory funding for the Cancer Moonshot. 

“Last year, I was proud we were able to provide an increase of $300 million in discretionary spending for NIH.  

“The NIH is a driver of economic growth, funding more than $92.89 billion in national economic activity in 2023.

“In West Virginia, NIH supported 759 jobs and $148 million in economic activity in 2023 alone. And this in a state that far too many don’t see as one of the areas for medical innovation, but we are proving that notion wrong every day.

“The NIH impacts every American in some way and I hope to again work in a bipartisan way to fund our joint priorities such as finding cures and treatments for cancer, Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other conditions that plague Americans.

“As I mentioned, Dr. Bertagnolli joined me at West Virginia University and witnessed the innovative research, talented researchers, and advancements happening in West Virginia.

“Much of this was made possible by the partnership that has been fostered with NIH over the years.

“Researchers throughout West Virginia are making significant contributions to biomedical research in areas ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease to substance use disorders.

“Unfortunately, West Virginia continues to rank above the national average in both new cancer diagnosis and deaths, so I’m pleased the budget devotes increases to finding cures and treatments for cancer.

“As a lead sponsor of the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, I look forward to hearing about your priorities and advancements to combat cancer and grow our clinical trial networks, especially among children.

“I will continue to prioritize fostering NIH collaboration with smaller and more rural states. Last year, we were able to provide a modest increase for the NIH ‘Idea’ Program.

“This program provides funding to 23 states—including West Virginia—that historically received little federal research funding. And I am proud of the friendship and partnership with Dr. Jon Lorsch at NIH for his leadership.

“The Idea program and other NIH funding has been instrumental for Marshall University, West Virginia University, and other institutions in my state in developing world-class research in neuroscience, cancer, stroke, vision, and addiction science.

“Dr. Bertagnolli was able to hear about West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s new mobile unit—named MAVERICK—purchased, thanks to an NIH grant. 

“Dr. Sally Hodder and her team will use this mobile unit to give individuals all over the state the ability to participate in clinical trials for new treatments, and is a prime example of how NIH investments in West Virginia can directly help our people.

“I do want to take a moment to express my disappointment that the proposed NIH budget does not devote new resources specifically for Alzheimer’s disease research at NIH. 

“I’ve seen the devastating affect Alzheimer’s can have on the patient, family, and caregivers.

“Nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s in our country and the national cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementias is estimated to reach $360 billion this year.

“Alzheimer’s and dementia related research must remain a national priority.

“Also, I’d like to see more attention devoted to substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse receives only a nominal increase in this budget.   

“Dr. Volkow has visited my state and seen first-hand how West Virginia in the crosshairs of the opioid and addiction crisis. 

“I know we are dealing with a tough funding situation this year, but investments in biomedical research are so important for the future of our country.  

“I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on their priorities today.”

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