Lawmakers warn that an executive order or similar move to create a politically appointed body to veto NIH funding would undermine the scientific peer-review process and threaten the future of biomedical research in the United States.

They urge Republicans to work with them on legislation that strengthens safeguards for NIH funding and blocks political interference.

The piece underscores NIH’s economic and scientific importance as a major public funder of biomedical research, highlighting notable breakthroughs supported by its funding.

Senior Senate Democrats led by Patty Murray and Tammy Baldwin, joined by 29 colleagues, press the White House Office of Management and Budget to drop plans that would place political control over NIH grant-making.

The letter outlines concrete consequences of politicization, including disrupted grants, lower award numbers and success rates, delayed opportunities, and potential harm to researchers and patients.

They insist NIH funding decisions be based on science and merit, not political agendas, and call for guardrails to shield the institute from political interference.

The letter points to past and ongoing efforts to reshape NIH funding through executive actions or rules, arguing such moves would delay or deny life-saving research.

A broad coalition of Democratic senators signs on, signaling widespread opposition to any plan that would empower political appointees over NIH’s peer-review process.