Message I am writing to you regarding the restoration of funding for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Historically, the CDC's Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases receives $5.4 million annually to combat myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS. As you may know, ME/CFS is a complex disease with no known cause, treatment, diagnostic tool, nor cure. The CDC estimates that up to 2.5 million Americans suffer from ME/CFS, and patients have lower quality of life scores than those with lung cancer, stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies show that ME/CFS costs the U.S. economy $18-$51 billion per year. The CDC efforts to combat ME/CFS are invaluable to the health of millions of Americans. This program includes a multi-site scientific research study, medical education programs and patient treatment efforts. These vital scientific research programs now face elimination. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee zeroed out funding for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in H.R. 3358, despite the committee report accompanying that very same bill starting that "the Committee is concerned that the level of funding is still very low considering the burden of disease and the current plan to expand research will take too long." Please help your constituents suffering with awful disease by restoring the $5.4 million for chronic fatigue syndrome in the FY 2018 budget. Only the continued financial support from you and your colleagues in Congress will sustain the programs to bring answers for the millions who suffer from this devastating disease.