Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on H.R.34, the Twenty-First Century Cures Act, which includes several provisions she introduced to invest in critical medical research. These provisions include an additional $4.8 billion for the National Institutes of Health over the next ten years, expanded loan repayment assistance for young scientists who pursue medical research, and will encourage the National Institutes of Health to provide better coordination of its current resources that focus on increasing diversity in recruiting and retaining scientists.

H.R. 34 was passed by a vote of 392 to 26. Congresswoman Clarke voted “yes.”

“The persistence of chronic conditions such as diabetes as well as life-threatening diseases such as cancer demonstrate that we must continue to expand our investments in the National Institutes of Health and its dedicated scientists,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “From my experiences with people suffering from these diseases and their families, I understand that we must invest in the research that will allow them to control, or even eliminate, conditions that threaten their quality of life. In addition, I have spoken with medical students from SUNY Downstate Medical Center who want to pursue medical research as a career, but because of their student loan debt cannot consider that option. Now, an expanded loan repayment program will support these medical students. H.R. 34 will also encourage the National Institutes of Health to provide better coordination of its current resources that focus on increasing diversity in recruiting and retaining scientists.  I commend my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, for coming together in support of the Twenty-First Century Cures Act, which will improve the quality of health for all Americans.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee on Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.