Warren Demands Answers from NIH Leaders on Funding Cuts, Citing “Ongoing Chaos” and Lack of Transparency
“Your lack of transparency and action during this de facto funding freeze is unacceptable.”
"[M]any researchers in Massachusetts and beyond who depend on the NIH to keep their critical and lifesaving work moving forward deserve answers.”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Acting Director Dr. Matthew Memoli and Director Nominee Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, demanding answers for the NIH funding cuts that are causing “ongoing chaos” and harm to research institutions across Massachusetts. Although the Trump administration’s initial funding pause was blocked by a federal judge, new information obtained by Sen. Warren’s staff indicates that continued cuts and disruptions to research funding are still having a devastating impact on research institutions in Massachusetts and beyond.
“Neither of you appear to have answers about what is going on at this agency, nor a willingness to resolve these problems. But the situation at the NIH remains dire, and it is imperative that you provide clarity immediately,” wrote Senator Warren.
Dr. Bhattacharya’s vote to be confirmed as NIH Director is expected to be on the Senate floor next week. The NIH plays a critical role in funding scientific and medical research across the country, and is particularly important in Massachusetts, where innovative research fuels the local economy and powers life-saving breakthroughs.
On February 12, Senator Warren wrote to Acting Director Memoli about the chaos and confusion caused by funding pauses at the NIH and the impacts of these disruptions at Massachusetts research institutions. Dr. Memoli failed to answer questions about what caused the funding cuts and when operations would resume.
In the meantime, the situation at the NIH has only worsened. Days after she sent her letter, the NIH terminated more than 1,000 workers. According to reports, NIH is expecting to cut up to 5,000 workers, which would account for a quarter of the current workforce. Top Massachusetts research universities like Harvard, MIT and UMass have since announced hiring freezes and pauses or reductions in graduate student admissions. The NIH also abruptly cancelled a decades-long internship program that historically supported more than 1,000 college students in summer research programs to develop skills for careers in the biomedical sciences.
“The Trump Administration’s disruption of billions of dollars of funding for basic scientific and medical research will have a devastating long-term impact on the nation’s technological and scientific breakthroughs that have created miraculous cures for deadly diseases and health problems, and led to trillions of dollars in economic growth,” continued Senator Warren.
Earlier this month, Bhattacharya, President Trump’s nominee for NIH Director, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). When asked about grant freezes and pauses, he failed to provide basic answers about the current situation, refusing to acknowledge the extent of the devastating impacts of the disruptions or take a clear position.
“As the Acting Director and Director Nominee of this agency, it is important that you provide clarity to Congress and the American public during this crisis,” concluded Senator Warren.
Senator Warren urged the directors to end the funding freeze and cuts to grant expenditures, and demanded answers to her specific questions by April 2.
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