[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PROTECTING NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Puerto Rico (Mr. Hernandez) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, the administration recently announced 
sharp cuts to Federal grant funding for universities, medical centers, 
and other research institutions. These cuts will devastate our 
students, our professors, and our seniors.
  What concerns me the most is these cuts will devastate Puerto Rico. 
Why?
  The NIH, the target of these cuts, funds critical medical research. 
During the past year, the NIH has supported 73 projects and provided up 
to $53 million for Puerto Rico's universities, hospitals, and research 
centers like Centro Medico in San Juan.
  These cuts threaten local programs studying diseases that 
disproportionately affect Puerto Ricans, like diabetes, Alzheimer's, 
cancer, and other rare diseases. These cuts will hinder scientific 
research and progress. These cuts will hinder people's access to 
healthcare. These cuts will set us back vis-a-vis China and our 
geopolitical rivals.
  The government cannot treat people like numbers on a spreadsheet. We 
can't cut corners on healthcare and education. We can't fall behind our 
global rivals. We must protect the NIH.
  Now, for the benefit of my constituents, I will repeat my remarks in 
Spanish.
  (Spanish translation of the statement made in English is as follows:)
  Senor presidente:
  La Administracion anuncio recientemente recortes drasticos en la 
financiacion de subvenciones federales para universidades, centros 
medicos y otros instituciones de investigacion.
  Estos recortes devastaran a nuestros estudiantes, nuestros profesores 
y nuestros adultos mayores.
  Lo que mas me preocupa: estos recortes devastaran a Puerto Rico.
  rPor que?
  Los NIH, el objetivo de estos recortes, financian investigaciones 
medicas cruciales.
  Durante el ultimo ano, los NIH han apoyado 73 proyectos y 
proporcionado hasta $53 millones a universidades, hospitales y centros 
de investigacion en Puerto Rico como el Centro Medico en San Juan.
  Estos recortes amenazan programas locales que estudian enfermedades 
que afectan desproporcionadamente a los puertorriquenos, como el 
cancer, la diabetes, el Alzheimer y otras enfermedades raras.
  Estos recortes obstaculizaran la investigacion y el progreso 
cientifico.
  Estos recortes dificultaran el acceso del pueblo a la atencion 
medica.
  Estos recortes nos haran retroceder frente a China y nuestros rivales 
geopoliticos.
  El gobierno no puede tratar a las personas como cifras en una hoja de 
calculo.
  No podemos recortar en salud y educacion.
  No podemos quedarnos atras frente a nuestros rivales globales.
  Debemos proteger a los NIH.

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