December 2002 Newsletter
 

 

Goal and Objectives

Our goal is to mobilize public support for cancer research so that we can accelerate the nation’s progress toward the prevention and cure of cancer. Toward that end, our objectives are to:

  • Demonstrate the benefits of cancer research;
  • Illustrate the need for answers to this terrible disease; and
  • Explain the investment needed for the task ahead.

 
A.

 Congressional Update

Leadership Changes

Senate  You are probably all aware that  Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) has been elected as the new Senate Majority Leader.  Both Senator Frist and his staff are quite knowledgeable on cancer issues.  We have enjoyed a good working relationship with them in the past.

With a patients bill of rights, prescription drug benefit and possible modifications to Medicare likely to be on the Congressional agenda in 2003 his voice will have even greater weight in his new leadership position. We look forward to working with him the coming term.

House  Last month we mentioned that the new House Majority Whip is Roy Blunt (R-MO). Since then he has moved to name the whip team for the 108th Congress.  He selected Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) for the post of Chief Deputy.  The job of the Whips is to buttonhole their colleagues on important votes and generally to support the leadership position.    Among the incoming freshman selected as assistant whips are Gresham Barrett (SC), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Jo Bonner (AL), Tom Cole (OK), Tom Feeney (FL), Katherine Harris (FL), Thaddeus McCotter (MI), Devin Nunes (CA) and Mike Turner (OH).  Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH), newly elected Conference chairwoman, will remain a Deputy Whip. 

 
B.

Continuing Budget Resolution

As mentioned in our November letter, the lame duck session of the 107th Congress was unable to complete action on any of the pending budget bills. Rather, a Continuing Resolution extending funding at fiscal year 2002 levels through January 11, 2003 was adopted.  This means  NCI will not see  additional money until this spring, which is halfway through fiscal year 2003. 

It is critical that the 108th Congress act quickly to pass final budget bills for 2003.  We will be using every means at our disposal to encourage Congress to act early in the session.  However, most budget experts think the 108th Congress is unlikely to pass any 2003 non-defense spending bills until February at the earliest.  

 
C.

Friends Accomplishments

The New Year promises to be full of challenges. Once the final 2003 budget resolution has been passed the planned doubling should be complete.  The next challenge will be to get a commitment for future funding. Senator Specter has publicly stated that it is the “sense of the Senate” that the NIH/NCI budget be increased by another 50%, in effect a second doubling.  Changing that from rhetoric to reality may prove to be a tall order.

Towards this end, FOCR plans to continue its town hall meetings, stressing the continuum of research from basic research, through clinical research and the outreach to industry for delivery of new and better drugs.  We are working with Rep. Pryce and Rep. Regula’s offices on the first of these meetings in 2003.

 

 

 
Ellen Sigal Marlene Malek
Chair President