NIH Director Hopeful Administration Settles With Universities Over Suspended Grants

Contact Your Elected Officials

‘I didn’t take this job to terminate grants,’ Dr. Jay Bhattacharya told a Senate panel.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, said on June 10 that he hopes the Trump administration can reach settlements with universities whose research grants have been suspended.

“I’m very hopeful that these universities where these pauses have happened will come to terms so that we can move forward,” Bhattacharya told a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee on health.

That includes Harvard University, he said. Administration officials have canceled billions in grants to Harvard after it declined to change policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and anti-Semitism.

Bhattacharya told senators he has worked to make sure certain grants, including for clinical trials, have not been paused.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) had told the NIH director that he was concerned about universities not receiving funding for months.

The hearing in Washington saw Bhattacharya answer questions about the NIH’s budget, from which the administration has proposed cutting $19 billion, leaving the agency with $27.5 billion for fiscal year 2026.

During the hearing, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said that the proposed reduction “is so disturbing” and that it “would undo years of congressional investment in NIH and it would delay or stop effective treatments and cures from being developed.”

There’s also a risk the United States will fall behind China and other countries in terms of biomedical research if the cuts are implemented, senators said.

Bhattacharya said in the hearing that he’s committed to helping the United States be the leading nation for biomedicine.

“From what I understand, this budget is a collaborative effort between Congress and the administration,” he said. “I look forward to working with you all to advance the needs, the real health needs … of all Americans.”

A group of NIH employees said this week that the agency has terminated 2,100 grants totaling some $9.5 billion, including some for clinical trials, as well as $2.6 billion in contracts.

“We’ve worked to make sure that no patients enrolled in the clinical trials are, have any delay in their care,” Bhattacharya told senators.

He also said that he’s set up a way for researchers to appeal canceled grants and that officials are quickly working through appeals that have been lodged.

“I’ve established a process for appeals for those grant terminations and decisions, and hundreds of people have appealed. It won’t take 18 months. It’ll take weeks to get through those appeals. We’ve reversed many of them,” he said. “I didn’t take this job to terminate grants.”

By Zachary Stieber

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Tylenol’s Headache

When President Trump, RFK Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz called for pregnant women to avoid using acetaminophen, Tylenol got the headache.

American Restaurants Are Going Broke

U.S. restaurant bankruptcies surged to 22% in 2020 amid COVID-19 and stayed elevated at 14% last year due to Biden’s “Build Back Better” policy.

A Few Fun Alternatives to the”Gory Stuff” at Halloween

Halloween has gone off the rails with gore through the decades.  But there are ways to enjoy the "scary stuff" without giving into darker, pagan alliances.  

Germany Stands To Lose & Poland To Gain From The EU’s Latest Energy Move

The US is geostrategically re-engineering Europe at Germany’s expense in order to facilitate Russia’s post-Ukraine containment.

EBT Serfs Threaten Violent Mass-Shoplifting Spree if Food Stamps Cut

The EBT serfs of the underclass may be in for a rough ride come November, when mommy government is slated to wean them off the teat of state.

White House Releases Donor List for $300 Million Ballroom Project

The Trump admin has released a list of the private donors contributing funds to the new ballroom being constructed on the White House grounds.

Alleged Chinese Fentanyl Kingpin Recaptured in Cuba Following Mexico Escape

A Chinese fugitive wanted on suspicion of trafficking huge quantities of fentanyl and cocaine into the United States has been recaptured in Cuba.

Walmart Brings Back Thanksgiving Basket, Turkey at Lowest Price Since 2019

Walmart brings back its popular Thanksgiving Basket meal, offering turkey and fixings to feed 10 people for under $4 each.

Prominent Personalities Sign Letter Seeking Ban on ‘Development of Superintelligence’

Hundreds of people, from conservative commentators to tech executives, have signed a letter seeking a ban on “the development of superintelligence.”

Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder Changpeng Zhao, White House Confirms

Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, convicted of money laundering two years ago while leading the global cryptocurrency exchange.

Trump Calls off Meeting With Putin, White House Says

White House says Secretary Rubio and Russia’s Lavrov had a productive call; no further meetings or Trump-Putin talks are planned soon.

President Signs Rare Earth Agreement With Australia’s PM

President Trump hosted Australian PM Albanese at the White House, where both leaders signed a new agreement on rare earth mineral cooperation.

Trump Says Insurrection Act Is ‘Strongest Power a President Has’

President Trump detailed plans to invoke the Insurrection Act to address rampant crime, calling it the “strongest power a president has.”
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central