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In
our December newsletter, CEF publicized President Bush's veto
of the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
Appropriations Conference Report, a legislative measure that
would have provided a boost to cancer research. In particular,
this Congress-approved legislation would have increased
funding to the National Cancer Institute by 2.7%.
In response to the veto, Lance Armstrong Foundation launched a
campaign to urge elected officials to override the president’s
action. CEF supporters joined forces by contacting local
officials and advocating they vote to override the veto.
Unfortunately, the override failed to reach a 2/3 majority -
by only two votes.
So, where does this leave cancer research funding in 2008? On
December 19, 2007, Congress finalized the 2008 budget,
allocating $4.8 billion to the National Cancer Institute, an
increase of just $12 million, or less than 0.26% over 2007
spending levels. While the end-result of “flattened funding”
is disappointing, we must turn our attention to the next
administration. To learn what commitments current
presidential candidates are making to the war on cancer, we
encourage you to visit the
Livestrong Cancer Presidential Forum. |
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