ASH and other members of the biomedical research community have strongly urged Congress to finish work on the stalled fiscal year (FY) 2025 spending bills that have forced the passage of multiple continuing resolutions (CRs) to temporarily extend funding for federal programs and agencies and allow the government to remain open. The most recent CR, which was enacted in late December just prior to the end of the 118th Congress, extends funding for such agencies as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through March 14, 2025 — nearly halfway into the fiscal year, leaving NIH researchers in limbo. As this issue of The Hematologist went to press, the 119th Congress was deliberating on whether to extend the current CR or pass appropriations bills to fund the government at the new levels until FY 2025 ends on September 30.
In January, the new House and Senate restarted negotiations to pass spending bills for FY 2025, and ASH’s advocacy is forging ahead. Members of the ASH Committee on Government Affairs met with lawmakers at the end of February to advocate for the funding of biomedical research. During their meetings, ASH advocates noted how the budget ambiguity resulting from a CR creates uncertainty for NIH and researchers and that the prospect of a flat or reduced final budget would delay progress.
Advocates also highlighted how budget uncertainty has been exacerbated by several executive actions affecting research and public health that President Trump issued shortly after taking office, including a January 27 memorandum directing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to temporarily pause federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs to review if the spending complies with the new administration’s executive orders. Although OMB officially rescinded the memo on January 29, the policy to withhold funds that they view as being in conflict of the executive orders remained in effect at press time. In February, NIH announced it would cap payments for indirect costs — which refer to administrative and facility costs tied to research — at 15%.
Later this spring, the ASH Committee on Practice, which works to support the specific needs of practicing physicians, will complement the Committee on Government Affairs’ advocacy work by meeting with dozens of lawmakers’ offices to advocate for policies that affect doctors and patients. This includes a wide range of issues — from sickle cell disease legislation that aims to expand comprehensive care for patients on Medicaid to legislation affecting Medicare payments for physicians.
All ASH members can participate in the Society’s advocacy efforts by joining the Grassroots Network to receive regular updates and information about how to contact their members of Congress. Additionally, ASH’s Government Relations and Practice Department is available to help set up meetings with congressional staff — either virtually or in person in Washington, DC, or in a legislator’s state or district office. ASH staff can provide the information needed to serve as an effective advocate, including fact sheets and relevant talking points. For more information about all the ways to become involved in ASH’s advocacy efforts, visit hematology.org/advocacy.
ASH members can also participate in the ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), a two-day workshop on policy and advocacy that provides the opportunity to meet with one’s elected officials and advocate for issues affecting hematology in Washington. The 2025 ALI will be held in person at ASH Headquarters in Washington, DC, on September 8-9, 2025, with nominations for the 2025 ALI open now through May 15, 2025. For more information, visit the ALI website at hematology.org/advocacy/ali or email Tracy Roades, ASH’s senior manager of legislative advocacy, at troades@hematology.org.
