Senate Pushback Against Proposed NIH Grant Review

The White House, led by budget chief Russell Vought, is drafting an order that would create an external committee to review or veto National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants deemed inconsistent with administration priorities. The proposal would require senior political appointees to reassess grants after scientific merit reviews and could allow agencies to terminate discretionary awards that no longer align with “the President’s policy priorities.” Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) warned that such a move would politicize funding decisions that Congress earmarked for biomedical research.

Newsweek

Collins’ opposition dates back months. In a July 6 letter to Vought, she urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to withdraw portions of a proposed government-wide grant-making rule and to extend its comment period, arguing the changes would undermine scientific research, burden small communities, and conflict with congressional spending authority. The administration’s draft order follows longstanding friction between OMB and NIH, with Vought repeatedly labeling certain grants “woke” and calling for greater political oversight.

Newsweek

The controversy coincides with Collins’ 2024 Senate race, now rated a toss-up. A CNN/SSRS poll shows Democrat Troy Jackson leading 48 % to 45 % among likely voters, while a separate CNN/SSRS survey records Collins with a 41 % favorable and 51 % unfavorable rating. An Abacus Data poll places Jackson ahead 52 % to 43 % among likely voters, though Collins leads 46 % to 45 % among all registered voters. Across polls, 67 % of Mainers disapprove of President Trump, compared with 31 % who approve.

Newsweek

Collins posted on X that “the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should not be involved in agency decisions on the awards of grants,” and warned that any executive order or guidance imposing political review would contravene congressional intent. Congress, through a continuing resolution signed earlier this month, blocks implementation of the OMB rule through December 11.

Newsweek

• “The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should not be involved in agency decisions on the awards of grants,” — Susan Collins, senator

Newsweek

• “Whether lifesaving medical research gets funded or not should be determined by experts at the NIH, not a panel of lackeys chosen by Donald Trump and Russ Vought,” — Patty Murray, committee vice chair

Newsweek