When advocates from across the country spoke together, lawmakers paid attention.
In an important step forward for the celiac disease community, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut led a Senate sign-on letter to the Appropriations Committee emphasizing the Celiac Disease Foundation’s funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2027. His letter called for continued support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for celiac disease research and urged that this serious, autoimmune condition remain eligible under the Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP).
Each year, Senator Blumenthal spearheads this effort on behalf of the community. The letter plays a key role in the appropriations process, helping ensure that Congress recognizes the urgency and importance of advancing celiac disease research.
Following this call to action, advocates nationwide responded in force. Over 1,300 emails were sent to Senate offices, urging Senators to sign their names to the letter supporting celiac disease research. A record-breaking nine Senators signed on—more than ever before. Each signature represents an agreement to voice support for the celiac disease community at the Senate level.
This milestone reflects the dedication and persistence of advocates across the country. Their efforts have reinforced to Congress that the celiac disease community remains committed to securing the research funding needed to make meaningful progress. We continue to be inspired by the dedicated efforts of our advocates to make celiac disease a federal priority.
Thank you to Senator Blumenthal for championing our efforts, and to Senators Angela Alsobrooks (MD), Cory Booker (NJ), Edward Markey (MA), Alex Padilla (CA), Jack Reed (RI), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Raphael Warnock (GA) for standing with our advocates to urge support for continued federal celiac disease research funding.
View the final letter here: https://celiac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FY27-Celiac-Disease_FINAL_w.-Signers.pdf