Over the next couple of months, we urge leaders from both parties in the new Congress to roll up their sleeves and develop a plan for curbing unsustainable growth in entitlement spending, as well as tackling a tax overhaul. Those same leaders must allocate funding wisely, based on the potential impact to our nation’s health and prosperity. They must recognize that there is a responsible way to cut government spending that involves weeding out programs that don’t work or that are simply too costly for what can be achieved. The job of elected officials is to choose national priorities, and we believe those that advance scientific discovery and improve public health are among the highest. Our job is to hold them to that responsibility.
Former Rep. John Edward Porter, R-Ill., is the chairman of Research!America. Former Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., is a Research!America board member.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Rep. Joseph Crowley, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, address a news conference immediately after the closed caucus meeting.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
