By Chad Ramsey, Vice President, Policy, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

FY 2026 Appropriations & Congressional Recess: A Vital Advocacy Window

As Congress continues its August recess, this “district and state work period” transforms into a strategic opportunity. Some lawmakers are focused on local engagement like town halls and community meetings, which make it the perfect time to reach them directly.

Meanwhile, the FY 2026 appropriations process is rapidly progressing. The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the Labor, Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS) bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. Importantly, the bill fully funds Johanna’s Law, the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative (OCCI), and the rest of the CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) programs. This is a significant win for our community, and one that deserves recognition.

The House has yet to take action on their own Labor-HHS bill but are expected to begin marking the bill up in subcommittee upon their return to DC on September 2nd.

With only a short time left before the new fiscal year begins on October 1, now is the moment for advocates to make their voices heard. Outreach during recess ensures lawmakers return to Washington with the urgency and constituent input needed to maintain and advance these lifesaving programs.

What You Can Do

  • Say Thank You. If your Senator serves on the Appropriations Committee, reach out and thank them for fully funding Johanna’s Law, OCCI, and DCPC programs. Expressions of gratitude strengthen relationships and build momentum for future support.
  • Take Action. Use OCRA’s Action Alert on DCPC to tell Congress how important it is to maintain funding for ovarian cancer research, prevention, and education.
  • Meet Locally. Attend a town hall or schedule a district meeting during recess. Sharing your story is one of the most powerful advocacy tools we have.

Advocate Leaders in Action

OCRA’s Advocate Leaders recently participated in a dynamic skills-building workshop on storytelling, led by Tesfa Alexander, PhD, Deputy Director of the Lerner Center for Public Health Advocacy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Drawing on his extensive background in health communication science and policy advocacy, Dr. Alexander guided our advocates through strategies to share their personal experiences with impact, connect their stories to specific policy asks, and tailor their message for different audiences—from lawmakers to the media. This interactive session gave our Advocate Leaders new tools to strengthen their voices and amplify the ovarian and gynecologic cancer community’s priorities at every level of advocacy.

Advocate’s Take

This summer, your advocacy is making a difference. Thanks to your efforts, the Senate has recognized the importance of Johanna’s Law, OCCI, and DCPC’s vital programs. Now is the time to reinforce that support, thank key decision-makers, and keep the momentum strong as we head into September’s negotiations.

Thank you for lending your voice to this fight. We’re stronger together, and there’s no better time than now.