André Carson

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 14:01

Congressman Carson Introduces the Medical Research for Our Troops Act

WASHINGTON, DC-On June 11, Congressman Andre Carson (IN-07) and Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced H.R. 3906, the Medical Research for Our Troops Act, which restores full funding to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The bill is endorsed by 70 organizations and includes 22 original cosponsors.

In March, House Republicans passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 that cut the CDMRP by 57%, putting thousands of medical breakthroughs at risk.

The CDMRP was established in Congress in 1993 and plays a vital role in advancing groundbreaking, peer-reviewed medical research. Administered by the Department of Defense, these programs are often the only source of federal funding for innovative, high-risk, high-reward research, particularly for conditions that disproportionately affect our veterans, service members, and underrepresented communities. That includes pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and many others.

In Indiana, the CDMRP has funded research at the Indiana University School of Medicineto improve treatment for mild traumatic brain injuries, as well as a collaboration between the IU School of Medicine and Purdue Universityto develop a device for spinal cord injuries. Nationwide, the CDMRP has contributed to lifesaving research addressing breast cancer, chronic pain management, epilepsy, melanoma, multiple sclerosis, and more.

"This program must be immediately restored to its full strength to save lives, save jobs, and to serve our brave servicemembers and veterans," said Congressman Carson. "Interrupting this research means we not only lose out on our investment, but we lose out on lifesaving solutions to some of the most devastating health issues our country faces. At this very moment, veterans, children, and families are desperately waiting for medical breakthroughs. We can't afford to make them wait any longer."

"Earlier this year, House Republicans cut funding for medical research on diseases that disproportionately affect veterans and service members. This endangers the lives of our nation's heroes and makes us all less safe," said Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49). "This bill ensures that lifesaving research on military-relevant medical conditions are once again fully funded. I'm proud to partner with Rep. Carson on this bill to ensure we never shortchange the health of our veterans and service members."

"The Medical Research for Our Troops Act will restore vital research funding that earlier this year was mistakenly cut by 57% by the Continuing Resolution," stated Mark Vieth, Coordinator of the Defense Health Research Consortium (DHRC). "The DHRC applauds Representatives Carson and Levin for their leadership on this issue and their dedication to medical research into the health challenges faced by members of the Armed Services. This legislation is essential not only for advancing treatments and cures for cancers and other conditions, but also for stemming the brain drain of our nation's medical research talent to China and Europe."

Original Cosponsors: Auchincloss, Barragán, Budzinski, Craig, Doggett, Fields, Garcia (TX), Goodlander, Gottheimer, Jackson (IL), Lynch, McBride, McIver, Moulton, Mrvan, Neal, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Ross, Salinas, Schrier, Strickland.

Endorsers: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Brain Tumor Association, American Gastroenterological Association, American Psychological Association Services Inc., American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma, Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Celiac Disease Foundation, Children's Tumor Foundation, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Coalition for National Trauma Research, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Cure HHT, Cure SMA, CURE Epilepsy, Defense Health Research Consortium, Epilepsy Alliance America, Epilepsy Foundation of America, FD/MAS Alliance, Fight Colorectal Cancer, GO2 for Lung Cancer, Hearing Loss Association of America, Hydrocephalus Association, Indiana University, Interstitial Cystitis Association, Kidney Cancer Association, KidneyCAN, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., Lupus Foundation of America, LUNGevity Foundation, Melanoma Research Foundation, Men's Health Network, Monica Weldon Consulting LLC, National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research, National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions, National Ataxia Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Neurofibromatosis Midwest, North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, PKD Foundation, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Sergeant Sullivan Circle, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Society of Military Ophthalmologists, Solve M.E., Susan G. Komen, TargetCancer Foundation, Theresa's Research Foundation, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, TSC Alliance, Unite 2 Fight Paralysis, VHL Alliance, Veterans for Common Sense, ZERO Prostate Cancer.

###

André Carson published this content on June 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2025 at 20:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io