04.21.15

Durbin Meets With Northwestern President To Discuss Funding For Biomedical, Scientific Breakthroughs

Durbin introduced two bills earlier today to help Northwestern and other research centers meet demand for high-quality prosthetic care for veterans

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro to discuss higher education issues and support for federally funded biomedical and science research. Durbin introduced two bills – the American Cures Act and the American Innovation Act – earlier this year to support the future of biomedical and basic science research. Major research universities like Northwestern – which has endorsed the legislation – have felt the impact of a decades-long downward trend in federal funding for research and development. A photo from the meeting with President Schapiro is available here.

“Northwestern is home to some of our nation’s best and brightest researchers who are leading the way in complex and growing fields like orthotics and prosthetics research. But like their colleagues across the country, Northwestern’s scientists are facing diminishing federal resources for their cutting edge research. This isn’t simply a problem for those scientists, their labs, or the universities they work at – it is a problem for the future of our country,” Durbin said.

During today’s meeting, Durbin and President Schapiro also discussed the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center, which is home to the nation’s leading graduate program in the field of prosthetics and orthotics research and training. Earlier today, Durbin reintroduced two bills to improve orthotics and prosthetics care for the nation’s service members and veterans. The legislation would enhance research in best practices and support colleges and universities seeking to establish degree programs to train specialists.

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