DeLauro Statement on FDA Funding Requested by Obama Admin.

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3), chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement on funding for the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal year 2010 included in the additional budget materials released by the Obama Administration.

"The Obama Administration's budget request for the Food and Drug Administration represents a realistic assessment of the resources that will be needed to restore the agency's mission of protecting the public health. By recommending an approximately 15 percent increase in the FDA budget, the Administration is seeking to build on the foundation established by the Democratic Congress, which increased FDA funding by almost 40 percent in the past three years.

"Significant work remains in strengthening the FDA, and this budget provides a positive step forward in the long journey toward that goal. I look forward to reviewing the details of the budget proposal and working with the Obama Administration to ensure that the FDA protects American families from unsafe foods and unsafe medical products."