The NHLBI has a long history of supporting groundbreaking research to prevent, detect, and treat heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders and diseases. Each year, we invest more than $3 billion in medical research in NHLBI laboratories and at more than 520 research institutions across the country and world.

 

Congressional Budget Justifications

Each year, when the President submits a budget request to Congress, federal agencies including the NIH/NHLBI prepare a Congressional Justification for the House and Senate appropriations committees. This document helps justify the President's request by detailing our past investments and advances in research, active research programs, evolving scientific priorities, and proposed budget for the coming fiscal year (FY).

Significant Items

Each year, Congress issues directives, called Significant Items, to Federal agencies, including NIH, in the reports accompanying House and Senate appropriations bills. Significant Items are assigned to the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) according to their areas of expertise.

Congressional Appropriations Hearings

Each year, the NHLBI Director may be called upon to testify before the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS).

Explore past Statements for the Record:

Congressional Testimony, Briefings, Reports, and Special Events

NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases Director James P. Kiley, Ph.D., speaks at a Congressional briefing on vaping. (March 3, 2020)
NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases Director James P. Kiley, Ph.D., speaks at a Congressional briefing on vaping. (March 3, 2020)

The NHLBI is accountable to keeping Congress informed about Institute-funded research. Occasionally, NHLBI subject matter experts are asked to testify before Congress or participate in Congressional briefings and events.

Key Moments in NHLBI’s Legislative History

1948

The National Heart Institute was established in 1948 when President Harry S. Truman signed into law the National Heart Act, Public Law 80-655, which authorized the Institute to conduct, assist, and foster research; provide training; and assist the states in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart diseases.

1969

The Institute was renamed the National Heart and Lung Institute in 1969 by the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, after a major National Heart Institute reorganization that created a pulmonary disease branch, along with branches for other cardiovascular diseases, therapeutic evaluation, and epidemiology.

1972

Congress further expanded the Institute’s authorities in 1972, with the enactment of the National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung and Blood Act, Public Law 92-423, to augment the national effort against heart, lung, and blood diseases.

1976

In 1976, the Health Research and Health Services Amendments, Public Law 94-278, authorized research and training on blood disease and the use of blood products and the management of blood resources. The law also changed the Institute’s name to the NHLBI.

1993

In 1993, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research was established as part of NHLBI, with the enactment of the NIH Revitalization Act, Public Law 103-43. The Center remains under the leadership of the NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases.

For more information about the NHLBI's history, visit The NIH Almanac.

Annual Science Advances

Cover image of Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research Advancing Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Research

Learn more about some of NHLBI's major programs, partnership activities, as well as recent advances in research funded by the institute. The information is presented by program area and showcases how NHLBI is implementing the objectives established in the NHLBI Strategic Vision.

 

 

 

 

NHLBI Gift Fund

The NHLBI is also authorized by Congress to accept donations and bequests to support its mission.

Still can't find what you're looking for?

Science Policy, Outreach, and Reporting (SPOR) Branch
SPOR Branch Chief: Sandeep Dayal, Ph.D.
Office of Science Policy, Engagement, Education and Communications
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
301-496-4236