Speaking in an NIH auditorium as both a legislator concerned about science and an incumbent seeking reelection, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) told a crowd of more than 500 scientists that federal laws must be changed to meet the needs of the agency's 10,000 intramural scientists and support staff. Mikulski promised her audience, many of whom also are constituents, that "you can count on me" to propose ways to make it easier to recruit and retain talented scientists, to speed up the procurement process, to offer financial incentives for young clinical investigators who otherwise could not afford to pursue research careers, and to provide NIH with a capital improvements budget to rehabilitate aging buildings. During the course of the November 25 session, Mikulski answered questions posed by ...
