Advocacy Center

CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

Each year, AAI submits written testimony to the House and Senate subcommittees that fund NIH. Among other things, these testimonies include an NIH funding request and highlight important immunologic discoveries.

  • AAI submits testimony to the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee recommending an appropriation of at least $51 billion for the NIH base budget for FY 2024 (05/17/23)
  • AAI submits testimony to the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee recommending an appropriation of at least $51 billion for the NIH base budget for FY 2024 (03/21/23)

LETTERS AND COMMENTS

The AAI Committee on Public Affairs communicates the policy positions of AAI through letters to legislators, government officials/agencies, and other organizations that have an impact on biomedical research.

  • AAI issues statement on the concept of “immunity debt” (08/29/23)
  • AAI CPA Chair Gretchen Diehl sent a letter to Rep. McClellan regarding AAI’s support of the RESEARCHER Act (08/28/23)
  • AAI President Akiko Iwasaki sends letter to Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo congratulating her on being appointed NIAID Director
  • AAI issues statement expressing concern about the FY 2024 House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee bill (07/17/23)
  • AAI responds to the Request for Comments from NIH on its Notice to Announce NIH Updated Policy Guidance for Subaward/Consortium (07/05/23)
  • AAI submits comments to NIH in response to its Request for Information on improving NRSA fellowship review (06/22/23)
  • AAI submits comments to NIAID in response to its Request for Information seeking input on DEIA across NIAID extramural activities (5/30/23)
  • AAI issues statement on President Biden’s Impending Nomination of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to be the next NIH Director
  • AAI submits comments to NIH regarding its Public Access Plan (04/21/23)
  • AAI submits comments to NIH in response to its Request for Information on re-envisioning U.S. postdoctoral training and career progression (04/14/23)
  • AAI submits comments to NIH on its Request for Information on Simplifying Peer Review Criteria (03/09/23)

ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Interested in communicating the value of immunology and biomedical research to policymakers or members of the public?  These resources will help you do just that. 


CPA NewsBrief: sign up for the members only CPA NewsBrief, an e-publication that focuses specifically on AAI public affairs (to sign up, email Jake Schumacher at jschumacher@aai.org)
  • Sign up for e-action alerts to receive email notifications about key issues and step-by-step instructions on how to make your voice heard
  • Locate and contact your Congressional Representatives
  • State and District NIH factsheets
  • Best Practices for advocating and visiting your Members of Congress
  • How to advocate on social media
  • Federal Funding Report
  • Handout: “The Value of Federally Funded Biomedical & Biological Research”
  • Factsheet: “Animal Research Saves Lives”
  • Factsheet: “Humanized Mouse Models: Using Human Cells to Conquer Disease”

VISIT CAPITOL HILL WITH AAI

AAI is happy to take AAI members to Capitol Hill to advocate for NIH and biomedical research.  If you are going to be in the Washington, D.C., area, contact us to let us know that you are interested in meeting with your Congressional delegation.

Step 1: Contact Senior Manager of Science Policy and Legislative Affairs Jake Schumacher (jschumacher@aai.org) and let him know that you would like to go to Capitol Hill and the dates you are available. (AAI will be in touch with you to schedule a mutually agreeable date)

Step 2: AAI will contact your Congressional delegation and schedule your meetings.

Step 3: AAI will put together everything you need for a successful Hill visit, including talking points and items to hand out to the offices you visit.

Step 4: AAI Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Lauren Gross will escort you to your appointments and help guide you through your meetings.

It’s that simple!

WORKING WITH FASEB

AAI works both independently and closely with the Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology (FASEB) to advance biomedical research, immunology, and the interests of AAI members.

AAI is a founding member of FASEB. FASEB has 28 member societies and represents more than 115,000 researchers.

AAI Representative to the FASEB Board (2022–2023)

AAI Members Serving on FASEB Board Standing Committees and Subcommittees (2022–2023)

AAI CAPITOL HILL PHOTO GALLERY

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Phone: (301) 634-7178 | Fax: (301) 634-7887