Why It Matters

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is lobbying amid an unprecedented crisis threatening U.S. cancer research. The White House proposed cutting NIH funding by roughly 40%, from $48 billion to $27 billion—the steepest reduction in agency history. Simultaneously, the administration halted new grant applications and stopped payments on existing grants, directly threatening pediatric cancer programs LLS champions.

Congress is pushing back, with both chambers expressing support for maintaining current NIH funding levels. LLS’s advocacy targets three interconnected challenges: securing federal research appropriations amid budget pressures, improving patient access to diagnostics and treatments as affordability crises mount, and modernizing clinical trials to reduce geographic and cost barriers.

Legislative solutions gaining traction include the Give Kids a Chance Act, the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act, and the bipartisan Clinical Trial Modernization Act. The timing is critical: China has surpassed the U.S. in biomedical patent leadership for the first time, amplifying congressional arguments that research cuts threaten American innovation leadership.

By the Numbers

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Inc. spent $140,000 on in-house lobbying in Q3 2025. The organization maintains a 22-year lobbying history with 219 total disclosures since 2003, demonstrating sustained federal health policy engagement.

LLS’s four-person lobbying team brings significant congressional expertise. Jessica E. Burnell and Brian A. Connell offer House experience, while Kathryn Ann Berge provides Senate perspective. Three of four possess prior congressional staff roles, including two former Legislative Directors.

Brian A. Connell has represented LLS since October 2014 across 45 disclosures totaling over $7.9 million. Kathryn Ann Berge has logged $4.8 million across 22 disclosures since 2020. Matthew Marks contributed nearly $5 million across 20 disclosures since January 2021.

LLS’s lobbying priorities have remained consistent: Health Issues (152 instances), Budget/Appropriations (85 instances), and Medicare/Medicaid (95 instances) dominate its advocacy portfolio.

The Agenda

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is lobbying on four core issues: pediatric cancer research, healthcare affordability, federal appropriations for medical research, and tax incentives for charitable giving.

LLS is actively advocating for the Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025, which expands research into molecularly targeted cancer drugs for children, and pushing the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act (AKACA) to improve patient access to diagnostics and treatment.

The organization supports the Finn Sawyer Access to Cancer Testing Act, requiring Medicare and Medicaid to cover advanced genomic testing, and the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to create Medicare coverage for blood-based cancer screening tests.

On tax policy, LLS advocates for The Charitable Act (HR 801 / S 317), creating tax deductions for non-itemizers making charitable contributions to ensure robust private funding alongside federal appropriations.

Broader Context

Congress is grappling with a biomedical research crisis directly impacting LLS’s priorities. The White House proposed slashing NIH funding by 40% and halted new grant applications, threatening pediatric cancer research programs.

However, both chambers have signaled resistance, creating openings for LLS advocacy. Pediatric cancer research maintains bipartisan momentum, with the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 recently signed into law.

More than 100 patient advocacy groups expressed support for the bipartisan Clinical Trial Modernization Act, addressing cost and geographic barriers to trial participation.

International competition adds urgency: China has surpassed the United States in leading researchers publishing in top journals, with Chinese researchers rising from 18,805 to 32,511 between 2020-2024 while U.S. numbers fell.

Patient affordability remains acute, with approximately 49% of cancer patients incurring medical debt, making LLS’s Medicare Part D and pharmacy benefit manager reform focus increasingly relevant.

Between The Lines

The Trump administration’s unprecedented halt on NIH grant applications represents what the New York Times described as shutting down "the War on Cancer." This creates both crisis and opportunity for LLS’s advocacy strategy.

Congressional resistance to the proposed cuts provides tactical openings. Both chambers’ support for maintaining current NIH funding levels creates receptive audiences for LLS’s appropriations advocacy, particularly given the organization’s experienced congressional staff.

The bipartisan nature of pediatric cancer legislation—from the Give Kids a Chance Act to clinical trial modernization—suggests LLS can navigate partisan divides effectively. The organization’s consistent 22-year advocacy history provides institutional credibility during this volatile period.

Competitive Landscape

LLS operates within a coordinated cancer advocacy ecosystem. The American Association for Cancer Research heavily engages in FY 2026 appropriations advocacy for NIH and NCI, while University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center lobbies on research infrastructure.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition advocates for DOD research program funding and metastatic cancer patient access, while the National Grange includes cancer screening improvements in broader health policy advocacy.

This coalition amplifies pressure on Congress to maintain biomedical research funding and expand patient support programs.

The Bottom Line

The organization’s advocacy occurs amid bipartisan activity on cancer research and patient access, positioning LLS as part of a broader coalition pushing Congress to maintain NIH funding while advancing pediatric cancer priorities through targeted legislation.

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