News

AACI held its annual Government Relations (GR) Forum on Monday, October 20, in conjunction with the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. More than 70 government relations representatives and AACI sustaining members gathered in Washington, DC, to discuss timely cancer-related public policy topics amid an unprecedented government shutdown.

The meeting began with an update from two consultants and former high-level Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee staffers: Erik Fatemi, of Cornerstone Government Affairs, and Lindsey Seidman, of Avoq (both pictured, left). The discussion covered the latest updates on the shutdown, appropriations, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Dr. David A. Super, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Economics at Georgetown University, shared a presentation on the history of impoundments and impoundment policy in the current administration. Concluding the meeting were updates from four AACI Sustaining Members: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, and Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

The GR Forum also officially marked a transition in steering committee leadership. AACI Government Relations Steering Committee Chair Catherine Liao, of Duke Cancer Institute, took the reins from Matthew Swaback, of Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson, who led the steering committee for three years.

Matthew Swaback and Catherine Liao

FY 2026 Budget Remains Uncertain as Government Shutdown Continues

Over one month into the ongoing government shutdown, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget remains unresolved. Despite weeks of bipartisan discussions, Congress has yet to reach an agreement to reopen the government or pass new appropriations bills. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other GOP leaders have floated the possibility of another short-term continuing resolution extending funding into early 2026, though the length and scope remain uncertain. Meanwhile, critical programs—including food assistance and air traffic operations—face increasing strain, and both parties are feeling heightened pressure from constituents and federal employees to end the stalemate.

Health care has emerged as a central sticking point in negotiations. Democrats have continued to press for renewal of the expiring ACA subsidies, some Republicans favor a short-term extension, and others are pushing for broader reforms or elimination of the credits altogether.

With no end in sight to the FY 2026 budget impasse and political tensions intensifying ahead of 2027 elections, AACI’s government relations department remains committed to working with cancer center members to advocate for strong, stable federal funding for cancer research and care.