Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after he helped lead a bipartisan push to ensure the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) remained within the Department of Defense (DOD). As part of negotiations over the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), provisions were struck from the bill that were originally included in the legislation and would have halted the research.
Last month, Loebsack and a group of 179 lawmakers called for the CDMRP, which leads medical research into breast, lung, ovarian and pancreatic cancers, as well as finding cures for neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder, to remain as part of the DOD. The CDMRP, which was established in 1992 by Senator Tom Harkin, has led to many advancements and breakthroughs in cancer research in order to improve the lives of our troops, veterans and their families.
“I am pleased to work with my colleagues in order to ensure the life-saving research happening within the CDMRP will continue at the Department of Defense. The CDMRP has led to important medical breakthroughs in cancer research that have helped improve and save the lives of our troops, veterans and their families.”
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