Eye on the Cure Podcast | Episode 84: How to Contact Congress

Help Prioritize Vision Research  

The Trump Administration has proposed reforms to federal research funding and processes that could impact the National Eye Institute (NEI) and future funding for eye research.

The NEI is a critical partner of the Foundation Fighting Blindness in the development of sight-saving treatments for inherited retinal diseases (IRD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Funding cuts at NEI would significantly impact most of the researchers we fund and their ability to drive IRD research.

As advocates, we must ensure continued federal investments, maintaining the NEI’s independence, and strengthening the FDA’s regulatory infrastructure are maintained because they are critical to advancing the next generation of therapies and preserving America’s leadership in vision science.

Your advocacy – your voice – is greatly needed to protect the existence of the NEI and preserve critical eye research funding. During the upcoming Congressional district work period (April 11-25), your House Members will be back in your community and meeting with constituents, which is an ideal time to schedule an in-person visit with your representative and/or their staff to advocate for preserving the NEI. Your voice and story can have a powerful impact.

Here is a simple, step-by-step action plan for scheduling your visit:

1. Go to House.gov and enter your zip code to identify your representative.
2. Visit your representative’s website to obtain the phone number for their district office.
3. Call the district office and ask to schedule a meeting during the upcoming recess (April 11-25).
4. Listen to this Contact Congress podcast to learn more about how to engage your House Member during your meeting and best practices for effectively telling your story.

Personal stories make a lasting impact. When advocates share their own struggles with vision loss or the impact of NEI-funded research, it humanizes the issue and helps legislators see the real-world importance of continued funding. Furthermore, many Members of Congress may not fully understand the burden of vision disease, and your visit helps strengthen the voice and the impact of the vision loss community.

Here are some additional facts to communicate during your visit:

• The Foundation Fighting Blindness funds early-stage science that empowers eye researchers to gain millions of dollars of NEI funding to drive early development of treatments and cures. NEI advancements in turn fuel industry to get sight-saving treatments across the finish line and out to the millions of Americans who need them.
• NEI advancements have led to industry development of treatments for AMD, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal diseases, and many other blinding conditions.
• The NEI’s innovations will enable American pharmaceutical and biotech companies to stay ahead of global competition, especially researchers in China who are accelerating their biomedical innovation.
• The NEI supports vision research through 2,100 research grants made to scientists at more than 150 medical centers, universities, and other institutions. NEI also conducts laboratory and patient-oriented research at its own facilities located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
• Ensuring NEI is fully funded is a priority to help advance science, treat and cure vision loss, and maintain America’s global leadership. Tell your Member of Congress to support full funding of NEI.
• MOST IMPORTANT: Tell your House Member why NEI’s sight-saving research is important to you and your family.