Dear Representative Thompson,
Signed onto this letter are researchers, teachers, healthcare workers, and community members of Pennsylvania District 15. Our work is integral to the community, economy, and day to day function of our region. Despite this, our work has been threatened by cuts to the NIH, NSF, USDA, and Department of Education. These cuts are dangerous to our health and dangerous to our economy.
Penn State University, Mount Nittany Medical Center, and the State College Area School District are amongst the largest employers in our region. The cuts in funding harm all of these industries, and as a result, the people and economy of Pennsylvania’s 15th District. At Penn State, NIH funding has been drastically cut due to grant pauses and cancellations, and massive delays and uncertainty in the funding of future grants. The proposed cap on indirect costs is expected to result in a $41.4 million loss at Penn State. Statewide, PA stands to lose over $2 billion in health research funding, nearly 22,000 jobs and over $5 billion in economic activity if the NIH funds are cut.
As constituents of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, we urge you to publicly oppose cuts to federal funding for research, healthcare, and education.
Sincerely,