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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 17, 2025

In a Letter to Members of Congress Alliance for a Stronger FDA Urges Congress to Reconsider Proposed FDA Resource Reductions

Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for a Stronger FDA, a coalition representing over 150 stakeholders, including consumer and patient groups, research advocates, health professions societies, industry leaders, and trade associations, today called on Congress to reconsider proposed reductions to FDA resources that could have wide-ranging consequences for public health, biomedical innovation, and economic growth.

In a letter addressed to key members of the House Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the Alliance expressed deep concerns that changes to FDA staffing and resources could weaken the agency’s ability to efficiently regulate medical products, ensure food safety, and maintain U.S. leadership in global biomedical research.

“The FDA’s ability to safeguard public health and foster medical innovation depends on a highly skilled workforce and adequate resources,” said Cartier Esham, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA. “Reducing FDA staff and resources at this critical time will not lead to greater efficiency—it will instead stifle innovation, delay patient access to life-saving treatments, and jeopardize the safety of our nation’s food and medical supply.”

The letter urges congressional leaders to engage with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.to assess the potential impact of these reductions and explore alternative solutions that support efficiency while preserving FDA’s critical functions. The Alliance also reaffirmed its commitment to working with policymakers to ensure the FDA has the flexibility and expertise needed to protect public health and maintain the nation’s global leadership in medical innovation.

Core Media Resources:

Media Contact:
Cartier Esham
Executive Director
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At the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, our mission goes beyond advocating for sufficient FDA funding. We are dedicated to educating the public, media, and policymakers about FDA's critical role in protecting and promoting America's public health.

That's why we recently (August ‘23) relaunched our website, www.strengthenfda.org. The new site provides an in-depth look at FDA's wide-ranging responsibilities, from overseeing food safety and approving life-saving drugs to regulating medical devices and biotech innovations.

Explore the site and you'll find a wealth of valuable resources:

  • The latest news and analysis in our Friday Update

  • Materials on FY20-FY24 budget and appropriations cycle

  • Full transcripts and recordings from our past webinars featuring FDA leaders

  • Fact sheets explaining the FDA's core functions

  • Links to key FDA data and documents

This is just the beginning. Our goal is to make the Alliance For a Stronger FDA the go-to source for media and the public to learn about the FDA. Let us know if you have suggestions for information related to the FDA's mission that could benefit your reporting.

Stay tuned as we continue expanding the site's content. With your help, we can showcase all the vital work FDA does to protect American lives.

Alliance for a Stronger FDA to Congress: FDA Needs Increased Funding to Meet Growing Demands
May 14, 2024 - In a letter to House and Senate appropriators, the Alliance for a Stronger FDA urged Congress to provide FDA with $3.9 billion for salaries and expenses (S&E). This is more than $200 million above the President’s FY 25 budget request and $377 million more than the current FY 24 funding level.

Alliance Analysis Of Proposed Final FY 24 Funding For The FDA
FDA’s FY 24 Appropriation is on track to become law before next week. Under the just-released bill, the agency would be level-funded for FY 24 (the current) year.

Highlighting Alliance’s FDA Shutdown Tool Kit
Our Tool Kit has been updated as of September 29th. We expect to update it on a regular basis until the threat of a shutdown has been eliminated.

Useful links to FDA’s website:
What does FDA do? 

What does FDA regulate? 

How the FDA is Funded

FDA at a Glance: Useful Facts about Products,  Facilities, and Program Funding

Is It Really “FDA Approved?”

How Do I Contact FDA?