Let’s Celebrate the Win But Work to Ensure It’s Not Short-Lived

As lawmakers in Congress approach the final juncture in approving the various FY 2026 appropriations bills required to fund government agencies and avoid another government shutdown, it is important to note that the injury and violence prevention research community  recently scored a historic win as the House moved to approve the final FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill that fully protects funding for all current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) programs!

While the bill is currently waiting approval in the Senate where the appropriations process has been temporarily sidelined as lawmakers haggle over how to exert greater control over Department of Homeland Security funding and operations, not a single lawmaker has voiced opposition or concern with any of the agreed upon funding levels for Injury Center including funding to support a firearm violence prevention research agenda and Injury Control Research Centers (ICRCs). As a result, the prevailing thought on Capitol Hill is that the bill will ultimately pass the Senate with strong bipartisan support.

It was just over a year ago that the president proposed to eliminate all funding for Injury Center programs in his budget request to Congress. Facing the real possibility of the complete destruction of the Injury Center, this community along with you colleagues and partners in the broader injury and violence prevention arena, mobilized and engaged in the policymaking process to educate lawmakers about the value and impact of injury and violence prevention research and the important role research plays in the design and implementation of targeted injury and violence prevention efforts.

As we celebrate this win we must also think about the work that lies ahead to ensure that this victory is not short lived and that future budget cycles recognize the critical role that research plays in supporting state-based injury and violence prevention efforts. The best way to protect this win is to commit to continued engagement in the policymaking process to educate lawmakers about the specific research projects in their state made possible with Injury Center support. The best way to break the myth that injury and violence prevention research is a veiled attempt to restrict gun use and ownership is to educate policymakers regarding how Injury Center research funds are actually spent.

Please be on the lookout for future action alerts as we turn the corner on the FY 2026 appropriations process and begin working to influence the FY 2027 budget.

For questions, please contact Paul.Bonta@safestates.org.