Scientific evidence and advice is critical for helping lawmakers to make decisions on a wide range of issues, such as medical research and funding, global climate change, alternative energy technologies, intelligence and homeland security systems, military programs, and much more. In fact, science is often the measure for whether our policies have been effective or need to be changed based on outcomes. For example, had the federal government paid greater attention to the advice of scientists and meteorologists, some of the deaths and damage caused by Hurricane Katrina may have been avoided.

As a member of the Health Appropriations Subcommittee, I regularly hear testimony from medical experts and scientists on the successes, limitations and funding needed to improve the health of Americans. In fact, just a few years ago, I successfully led the fight to double the budget for the National Institutes of Health.

Since the first occurrences of avian influenza several years ago, I have pushed the Administration to act to prepare for a pandemic. I continue to work with scientists to address many serious gaps in our preparedness plan, such as methods for preventing outbreaks and responding should one occur.