Rep. Jim Moran: An Advocate for People with Lupus on Capitol Hill

Congressman Jim Moran of Virginia has served 12 terms in Congress and has many legislative successes to his credit. He is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and has been a champion of the environment, women’s issues, and veterans, among other causes. In recent years, he has also been one of the strongest advocates for people with lupus on Capitol Hill.

Last year, the Lupus Foundation of America helped create the first Congressional Lupus Caucus. Rep. Moran serves as one of the caucus co-chairs along with Rep. Tom Rooney of Florida, Rep. William Keating of Massachusetts, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida. The Caucus has been working with the Foundation to ensure that all members of Congress understand the impact of lupus on individuals and their families, and actively support the advancement of lupus research and increased awareness of lupus among the public and health professionals.

“There is little awareness of lupus and its impact on an estimated 1.5 million Americans,” says Rep. Moran. “This disease, disproportionately affecting women, needs greater attention. Our goal will be to increase understanding of this chronic disease and examine ways to support researchers’ efforts to identify, treat and to hopefully one day find a cure.”

Rep. Moran’s connection to lupus is also a personal one: his daughter, Mary, has lupus. Both Rep. Moran and his daughter have been a welcome presence at Foundation events, including walks and the annual gala. Rep. Moran received the Lupus Foundation of America’s Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2010 Advocacy Day Luncheon in recognition of his support for people with lupus, and he has been honored at the Foundation’s 2009 and 2012 galas in Washington, D.C.

“Rep. Moran’s support is crucial as we move forward with our work to educate all Americans about lupus and bring more federal funds to lupus research,” said Kimberly Cantor, Senior Director for Public Policy and Government Affairs at the Lupus Foundation of America. “He has been one of the best friends to people with lupus on Capitol Hill, and we are encouraged by his efforts to spotlight this cruel mystery to the public and other members of Congress.”

Rep. Moran serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment and also serves on the Defense and Legislative Branch Subcommittees. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Prevention Coalition, the Congressional Crohn’s and Colitis Caucus, the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and heads the Task Force on Sovereign Wealth Funds, which was established to study issues surrounding sovereign wealth funds and their potential to affect geopolitics and the U.S. and international economies.

In the mid-1990's, he co-founded the New Democratic Coalition, a group of approximately 50 House Democrats committed to fiscal responsibility, free and fair trade, technology, and maintaining America's security and economic competitiveness.