Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)
WASHINGTON – Chautauqua County’s representative in Congress is calling on the federal government to invest more money into medical research for children.
On Monday, Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) announced that he is co-sponsoring the “Kids First Research Act of 2013” – a bill that invests $130 million in scientific research for pediatric diseases and disorders like autism, juvenile diabetes, and children’s cancer.
According to Reed, the bill prioritizes funding for pediatric research by eliminating taxpayer financing of presidential campaigns and party conventions.
“This is a continuation of our effort to have a national conversation about what our priorities are as a nation,” Reed said. “And as I care and as I believe many Americans care about diseases that impact children in particular, I believe it’s only right and appropriate for us to put a priority on our federal taxpayer dollars toward addressing those childrens’ diseases.”
Reed adds that the Kids First Research Act of 2013 eliminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund (PECF) not used by presidential candidates and taxpayer dollars previously financing the Republican and Democratic party conventions. The remaining $130 million from the fund would expand pediatric research through the National Institutes of Health.
Reed said more than 100 bipartisan co-sponsors have signed onto the bill that is slated to come to the House floor for a vote this month.
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