American Lung Association Hails Passage of Bipartisan Budget Act

In response to the U.S. Senate’s vote today to pass the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, following the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the bill last week, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold P. Wimmer issued the following statement:  

“The American Lung Association applauds the Senate’s passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 and urges President Trump to quickly sign it into law.

“This bipartisan bill will avoid dangerous, across-the-board spending cuts and allow for much needed investments in key lung health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, and more that help the millions of Americans living with lung diseases.

“The legislation is not perfect, but it is a victory for lung health. We thank Congressional leadership, including Speaker Pelosi and Leaders McConnell, Schumer and McCarthy; Appropriations Committee chairs and ranking members; and Budget Committee chairs and ranking members for their work crafting this agreement.

“As the appropriations process continues, we call on members of Congress to support full funding for lung health programs and oppose any policy riders that would weaken key lung health protections, including those under the Clean Air Act and the Tobacco Control Act.”