Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act Statement from the Defense Health Research Consortium (DHRC)
January 21, 2026
The Defense Health Research Consortium (DHRC) applauds the efforts of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee to produce a bipartisan, bicameral “minibus” appropriations package that includes a final negotiated fiscal year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act. This legislation includes $1.27 billion in FY 2026 funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD). While this total is still below the $1.51 billion appropriated in FY 2024, it represents a significant increase above the amount appropriated by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (Public Law 119-4), which cut funding for the CDMRP by 57 percent.
The DHRC is a coalition of more than 70 organizations united in advocating for the preservation and expansion of the CDMRP. Our membership primarily consists of patient advocacy groups, as well as medical societies, foundations, and veterans’ organizations. Collectively, we represent tens of millions of Americans affected by cancer, neurological conditions, rare diseases, and other chronic health challenges. Last November, the DHRC led a letter, signed by 157 organizations, to House and Senate leadership, calling on them to “work toward the enactment of the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, to ensure full funding levels for the Defense Health Research Programs, including the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).” We now call on Congress to expeditiously approve this important FY 2026 appropriations package and send to the President for his signature prior to current continuing resolution’s expiration on January 30.
For FY 2027, the DHRC will be advocating for significant increases to CDMRP to reverse the negative impact of the FY 2025 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act and increase funding for these programs to no less than their FY2024 funding levels. We look forward to working with Congress this year on ensuring continuity of these vital research programs.
Contact: DHRC Coordinator Mark Vieth, mvieth@dc-crd.com
