GOP Seeks To Restrict Pathogen Research By NIH

Axios reports:

The plan from the House Energy and Commerce Committee would establish a new oversight process for certain risky pathogen research proposals and transfer power from NIH to a “public, independent oversight entity” to review, approve or reject and oversee the experiments.

It also would incorporate national security or intelligence reviews into the NIH’s existing grant approval process, add reporting and conflict-of-interest policies and set five-year term limits for NIH institute directors — a not-too-veiled shot at longtime former NIAID director Anthony Fauci.

“Historical support for what an agency should or could be cannot prevent us from seeking to build upon past lessons or correct areas that have fallen short,” Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers [photo] said.

Read the full article.

Axios: ‘Overhaul threat: NIH faces Republican call for reorganization’

‘It more immediately ratchets up pressure on NIH heading into what could be a difficult fiscal 2025 budget cycle..’

‘What most can agree on is that NIH has been put on the hot seat’https://t.co/NGFd2LOW6W

— Billy Hanlon (@bhanlon15) June 17, 2024

The proposal recommended regularly conducting a congressional mandated review of the “NIH’s performance, mission, objectives, and programs” as well as introducing term limits on the directors of Institutes and Centers under the agency. https://t.co/N3ZaQJYbi9

— The Hill (@thehill) June 16, 2024