November 25, 2024

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) drafted and submitted a sign-on letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging robust support for biomedical animal research. The letter was submitted during a crucial time in the Congressional session, as funding negotiations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 are being finalized amid a Continuing Resolution (CR) set to end on December 20.

Joined by 26 other organizations, the letter underscores the vital role of animal research in developing treatments for humans and animals, empowering the U.S. to lead the way in global science and medicine. To further advance this important goal and address the ongoing challenges confronting the biomedical research community, the letter outlines three recommendations for House and Senate Appropriators:

1. Affirm and invest in necessary animal research to maintain biomedical progress, including the development of New Approach Methods (NAMs);
2. Emphasize high-quality science rather than funding restrictions and arbitrary deadlines;
3. Provide dedicated funding to support and expand the scientific workforce and animal research infrastructure.

To view a copy of the letter, click here.

October 4, 2024

In collaboration with 15 other organizations representing biomedical professional societies, nonprofits, veterinary medicine groups, and academic institutions, AMP drafted and transmitted a sign-on letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as they work to finalize the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 8070). The NDAA bill specifies the annual budget for the Department of Defense (DOD). Earlier this year, the House passed their own version of the bill which included an amendment prohibiting any DOD funds to be used for dog and cat research.

The sign-on letter encourages Congress to omit this section from the final bill. Additionally, the letter highlights how the DOD’s animal research program has yielded significant advancements in human and animal health. These advancements have proven beneficial to U.S. troops, veterans, and military dogs, particularly in the areas of cancer treatment and enhanced surgical techniques. Without sufficient support for this research, the letter notes that the U.S. risks forfeiting opportunities to provide life-saving medicine to future patients, thus weakening the country’s military and biomedical preparedness for emerging threats.

Here is a link to a copy of the letter – FY25 NDAA Sign-on_Animal Research_Final.