Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Legislation to Save Vital NIH Research Grants
Includes protecting funding for research into cancer, HIV, and Alzheimer’s disease
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman led 40 of her colleagues in introducing legislation to protect vital research being conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Preventing Halting of Active Research Act would unfreeze and release funding for NIH contracts, prohibit termination of active research grants funding by the NIH, and reform termination clauses in grant contracts of the NIH.
On April 4th, the Trump Administration and Department of Government Efficiency unilaterally canceled at least 715 NIH grants, cutting off funding to researchers at universities, hospitals and nonprofit institutions across the country who were conducting research on cures, prevention, and treatment for cancer, Alzheimer’s, eating disorders, HIV, and mental health disorders among other research.
The Administration’s decision to target NIH grants will inflict a heavy toll on public health and exacerbate health care disparities, strain resources, and impose financial burdens on the US healthcare system. Research has found that every dollar of NIH funding that is spent generates about $2.50 of return economic activity.
“The freezing of these research grants threatens the significant progress being made on curing and treating some of the most debilitating and costly diseases we face,” said Watson Coleman. “Some of the most significant advances in medicine have originated with NIH research. The cuts by the Trump Administration are both shortsighted and cruel to those praying for a cure. I’m working with my colleagues to ensure that research gets back on track immediately.”
“The administration’s decision to cut these grants hurt our hospitals, our universities, and threatens the progress made in Western Pennsylvania. NIH funding has been essential for our local institutions to make medical breakthroughs, develop cutting-edge treatments, and foster the spirit of innovation that Pittsburgh has revitalized,” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “The Preventing Halting of Active Research Act would restore these vital investments to protect progress and protect lives. Our institutions and our people have so much to lose if these research grants are not reinstated.”
“The United States has long been a global leader in medical research and innovation, but this administration’s reckless freezing of NIH grant funding puts all that critical work at risk. Every family in America has been impacted in some way by a disease or illness that NIH research covers - from cancer, to Alzheimer’s, to alcoholism. We must work urgently to restore this essential research and continue making progress in the prevention and treatment of diseases for patients and their families,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06).
“The Trump Administration pulled the plug on lifesaving NIH research—cancer, Alzheimer’s, mental health—not because it wasn’t working, but for their own political power,” said Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01). “St. Louis is home to world-class universities leading this work, and turning our backs on science is a betrayal to every family praying for answers. I am thankful to Rep. Watson Coleman for leading this critical legislation.”
The Preventing Halting of Active Research Act is cosponsored by: Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Henry “Hank” Johnson (GA-08), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Terri A Sewell (AL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), William R. Keating (MA-09), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), George Latimer (NY-16), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Troy Carter (LA-02), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), John B. Larson (CT-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Eric Swalwell (CA-14).
The Preventing Halting of Active Research Act can be read here.