107th Congress

National Eye Institute Reauthorization Act of 2001

H.R. 590

Background

On February 13, 2001, the late Representative Patsy T. Mink (D-HI) introduced H.R. 590, the National Eye Institute Reauthorization Act of 2001, which was identical to the bill she introduced during the 106th Congress. On March 27, Representative Mink testified about the importance of eye disease research at the Member of Congress hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education.

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

H.R. 590 would have authorized the doubling of the National Eye Institute budget relative to fiscal year (FY) 1999. The budgetary increases would have taken place over the course of 3 years (FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004).

Status and Outlook

H.R. 590 had 18 cosponsors. The bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. On March 7, 2001, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued a statement of support for the legislation into the Congressional Record. There was no further action on this legislation during the 107th Congress.