In April 2013, Representatives Greg Harper and Tom Cole introduced the “Kids First Research Act,” which will put additional taxpayer funding into scientific research of pediatric diseases and disorders. It’s not enough to just conduct research for new treatments—we need to be pushing for research that will help uncover the cure for autism spectrum disorder and many other diseases impacting children.

The Kids First Research Act will eliminate taxpayer financing of presidential campaigns and the Republican and Democratic party conventions and instead use these funds to expand pediatric research at the National Institutes of Health through the NIH Common Fund (the Common Fund supports transformative research that involves the coordination of multiple NIH research institutes and centers).

Just three months ago, researchers reported that 1 in 50 school aged children are affected by autism spectrum disorder. That’s too many. And that’s why I can think of no better use for the millions of taxpayer dollars currently spent on presidential campaigns and political party conventions than funding the medical research that holds the key to improving the quality of life for so many Americans.

Read more about the Kids First Research Act by visiting House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's website by clicking here.