As a member of the House Diabetes Caucus, I am a strong supporter of efforts to advance diabetes research. That is why I have decided to cosponsor H.R. 4594, the Pediatric Diabetes Research and Prevention Act.

Diabetes is a difficult disease for folks of any age to face, but it is particularly painful to see young children struggle with the medical complications caused by this illness. My hope is that one day very soon researchers will develop a vaccine and this bill is a step in that direction.

I am also proud of the work the House Appropriations Committee, on which I also serve, has done to dramatically increase funding for medical research. This year alone, Congress has increased the NIH budget by 13 percent, bringing it to a total of $20.5 billion. This increased funding will go a long way towards finding a cure for diabetes