As Congress returns from their holiday district work period, they face a packed legislative agenda, with the priority being the need to finalize Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations before the January 30 deadline. If legislators fail to come to an agreement and/or pass a short-term spending bill also known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), there will be another government shutdown. 

Last year, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee approved its version of the FY26 spending bill, which — like the bipartisan bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee — includes full funding for the National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC). This marked an important step toward protecting critical resources for people living with paralysis and their caregivers, made possible through the Reeve Foundation community’s strong grassroots advocacy network. We now urge Congress to finalize the FY26 appropriations process, and we call on advocates to keep speaking out to ensure the nationally-run PRC is fully funded this year.

The PRC is a free, comprehensive, national source of support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers. Since its founding in 2002, the PRC has helped hundreds of thousands of people through cross-state resources, peer-to-peer mentoring and direct support. The PRC also directs funds to nonprofit organizations providing direct services in communities across the country through the Quality of Life grants program, helping all individuals impacted by paralysis live more independent lives. It is the only program of its kind in the country.

The PRC has been central to longstanding efforts to improve health, independence, and dignity for millions. It connects people not just to services and resources, but to hope, possibility, and a future. And it is cost-effective. That’s why it’s earned bipartisan support year after year. Putting PRC funding in jeopardy now would not only halt decades of progress, it would put lives at risk. 

Now is the time to act. Please contact your House member and Senators today and urge them to support full funding for the Paralysis Resource Center at no less than $10.7 million. Ask them to share their support with the Appropriations Committee leaders and staff in both chambers. Let your legislators know how critical the nationally run PRC is to the paralysis community and why protecting this funding matters.