By Speakin’ Out News staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is urging the White House to expedite the release of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds vital to institutions like the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
In a July 24 letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Britt and 13 Republican senators called for full implementation of the FY2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act. The law, signed earlier this year by President Donald Trump, continues NIH funding at prior-year levels.
“Senator Britt has been a strong advocate for ensuring NIH remains a global leader in research,” said Grace Evans, Britt’s communications director. “She is committed to seeing taxpayer dollars used responsibly to support life-saving innovation in Alabama and beyond.”
Delays Could Impact Research and Jobs
The senators warned that delaying NIH funding could jeopardize critical research, threaten jobs, and limit access to medical advancements.
“Suspension of these funds—whether formally or effectively—could harm Americans’ access to better treatments and weaken U.S. leadership in biomedical science,” the letter stated.
UAB’s Reliance on Federal Support
Alabama received $380 million in NIH funds in FY2024, with $334.4 million (88%) going to UAB. As of July 21, FY2025 funding to the state reached $190.9 million, with about $166 million again going to UAB.
UAB ranks among the top 1% of NIH-funded institutions, having received over $413 million from the NIH in 2023 alone.
“We appreciate Senator Britt’s ongoing support for NIH funding that saves lives,” said UAB spokesperson Hannah Echols. “Our team continues to monitor federal developments closely.”
Focus on Maternal Health and Cancer Research
In recent Senate hearings, Britt emphasized the need to address Alabama’s high maternal mortality rates and lack of maternal care in rural areas. She also highlighted UAB’s cancer research and the importance of federal funding for cancer prevention—an area often overlooked by private industry.
“Federal funding is essential because few other resources support cancer prevention research,” said Dr. Barry Sleckman, director of UAB’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.