WASHINGTON – Tuesday, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, released following thestatement on National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins’ announcement that he will step down by the end of the year:
“Dr. Collins is the only presidentially appointed NIH Director to serve more than one administration – a testament to the confidence and respect hegarnered on both sides of the aisle. His leadership on the Human Genome Project changed the trajectory of medicine for generations. As Chairman and the top Republican on the health appropriations subcommittee, I have always appreciated how effectively Dr.Collins has worked with the Congress to help us achieve a pattern of substantial, historic federal increases in NIH funding. While his departure will be a tremendous loss for NIH, he has chosen 24 of the 27 NIH institute directors, and has helped create astrong network of researchers all over the country who will continue making progress toward lifesaving medical breakthroughs. I have been grateful for Dr. Collins’ advice and friendship, and I know how lucky we all have been to have him leading NIH beforeand during the COVID crisis.”