On March 14, the day before the federal government would shut down, President Trump signed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, a continuing resolution (CR) that funds the federal government until September 30. The CR is largely an extension of fiscal year 2024 funding levels, with an increase of $6 billion for defense.

Despite the increase in defense, funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) — the portion of the Department of Defense that supports medical research, including research for various cancers — was reduced by 57%, a reduction of $859 million. As Congress begins to work on its fiscal year 2026 budget, it’s important we work to restore funds that support vital cancer and medical research.

Today, the United States leads the world in biomedical research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the world’s leading medical research agency, both funding and conducting groundbreaking scientific advancements. NIH-funded research contributed to the development of 99% of FDA-approved drugs in the last decade.

It is vitally important that members of Congress hear from you — their constituents — that medical research is crucial and should not be cut. We cannot expect the United States to remain the leader in research if NIH funding is reduced. Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and more than 50,000 lives will be lost to this disease. Millions of American families will be impacted by cancer and will be waiting for advancements and breakthroughs in cancer therapies — breakthroughs that rely on strong federal funding for cancer research.

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will dedicate its advocacy efforts this year to protecting and increasing support for cancer research, but we must have your help. We know from experience that congressional offices track phone calls and emails; they pay attention when their constituents are focused on an issue, and it can impact how they choose to vote. Please send the email copy below to your representative and two senators (request a response if you are using their website). It will take less than five minutes and can make a huge difference. You can find the phone number or email address here.

As one of your constituents, I was very disappointed to learn that in the continuing resolution, the research funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) was cut by 57%, despite defense receiving an additional $6 billion in funding. I have a personal interest in cancer research. I hope you share my commitment to finding new treatments and a cure for cancer and will vote against any 2026 budget that reduces NIH or CDMRP grant funding. I will monitor your voting record on this vital issue.