PALO ALTO, CA – Today, Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) released the following statement after President Biden announced his intent to appoint Dr. Renee Wegrzyn as the first director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency on Health (ARPA-H).

"Congratulations to Dr. Wegrzyn, who will be the inaugural director of ARPA-H. With previous experience at DARPA and IARPA, which ARPA-H is modeled after, she is well suited to lay the foundation for a highly innovative and dynamic new agency," said Eshoo. "In order for Dr. Wegrzyn to be set up for success from Day 1, the Senate must pass my legislation to establish ARPA-H as an independent agency with the authorities it needs to nimbly hire and begin exciting research projects. With the full autonomy and authority needed to be effective and with Dr. Wegrzyn at the helm, ARPA-H can transform health and medicine as we know it."

On June 22, 2022, Eshoo's legislation to establish an independent ARPA-H passed the House with a vote of 336-85.

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