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S. 1650, the fiscal year 2000 Appropriation bill for the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, is a large and complex bill. It appropriates over $90 billion to fund a host of federal programs through the next fiscal year. Parkinson’s research and all medical research funded through the National Institutes of Health represent relatively small portions of the overall bill. Year in and year out the Labor/HHS bill is one of, if not the, most contentious bills Congress considers. This year is no different. With all the fiercely debated issues included in the bill, it is highly unlikely that any Senator voted for or against S. 1650 solely on the basis of the bill’s language pertaining to Parkinson’s disease research. It is perfectly appropriate to contact your Senators’ offices and ask how they voted on S. 1650 and why, but recognize that this vote was not an up or down referendum on funding for Parkinson’s disease research. Any U.S. Senate office can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Lastly, it should be foremost in the minds of all Parkinson’s advocates that Arizona Senator John McCain has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Parkinson’s community. Senator McCain was the lead Republican sponsor of the Udall Act in 1997, and played a key role in its adoption by the Senate. Senator McCain needs no one to defend his record, but based on his renown friendship and devotion to Mo Udall and the Udall family, his consistent and energetic support of Parkinson’s research funding and ultimately his character, it seems reasonable to assume that Senator McCain had compelling reasons beyond Parkinson’s research funding for voting against S. 1650. Senator McCain’s Washington D.C. office can be reached by calling (202) 224-2235. Questions or comments can be referred to: Michael Claeys Policy Coordinator Parkinson’s Action Network (202) 628-2079 [log in to unmask]