As a new member of the multiple sclerosis (MS) caucus, I am learning more about MS and how we can help improve the lives of those who struggle with it. My heart goes out to all who face the challenges of MS daily.

Congress has placed a high priority on funding medical research. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs are vital to investigating the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases like MS. Not only would funding for a Department of Defense program help our service members and veterans, but the breakthroughs can be applied to civilians who face the same diseases.

To further enhance research capabilities and understand how MS affects individuals, we also need to keep track of those who have been diagnosed with this disease. That’s why I am a co-sponsor of the National MS Disease Registry Act to establish a nationwide registry to collect and analyze data about the MS population in the United States.

Congress has succeeded in doubling the budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the last few years. This is quite an achievement and a significant step toward providing cutting edge treatments for victims of all diseases. Last year’s spending bill included $1.5 billion for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which is part of the NIH.