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The U.S. Congress passed a two-year budget which will provide partial relief from the budget caps and increase discretionary spending by 5.2 percent in fiscal 2016.

Congress passes budget deal (Politico)

Budget Deal Explained: Two Years of Funding Room (AAAS)

Congress must deliver on promises for biomedical research (The Hill)

Bringing the Common Rule into the 21st Century (NEJM) Federal agencies recently released a proposal to update the Common Rule. The Common Rule regulates the ethical conduct of human research.

Why You Can Thank the Government for Your iPhone (TIME) The high-risk investment in basic research by the federal government has facilitated many of technological and biomedical advancements now enjoyed by society.

Preserve fetal tissue research: Our view (USA Today) The editorial board of USA Today supports continued use of fetal tissue in research.

Diversity in STEM: The writing’s on the wall (The Hill) President of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, Gabriel Montaño, urges diversification of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields of the federal government.