In Advocacy

Military Burn Research Program

The House is expected to vote next week on a bundle of five Fiscal Year 2020 bills, including one funding the Department of Defense. The House Fiscal Year 2020 Defense appropriations bill would provide $8 million in continued Military Burn Research Program (MBRP) funding. The inclusion of the MBRP funding extension is a direct result of the ABA’s advocacy efforts, and we appreciate your support in lobbying for the continued funding of this critical program. The ABA will continue to advocate that continued and enhanced MBRP funding be included in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2020 Defense appropriations measure, which is currently being drafted by the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019

The Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019 bill was introduced earlier this year in the House by Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and David Joyce (R-OH). To date, there are 45 cosponsors of the bill, including some added in recent weeks. Last week, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced similar bill language in the Senate. The introduction of the Senate bill represents significant progress, which could not have been achieved without the successful lobbying efforts of the ABA members. The ABA will continue to meet with congressional members to encourage co-sponsorship of the House and Senate bills, and work with House Energy and Commerce and Senate Commerce Committees to advocate for committee action on the respective measures.