A watchdog report has found that the Trump administration illegally withheld funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), prompting bipartisan backlash. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the White House for halting money for cancer research and other cures. This move has raised concerns about the impact on medical advancements and public health.
The National Institutes of Health, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is a key federal agency responsible for biomedical research. The report alleges that the administration’s actions violated federal spending rules, potentially disrupting critical research initiatives. Critics argue that the withholding of funding could delay progress on life-saving treatments.
Lawmakers have called for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the importance of federal support for medical research. They argue that the administration’s decision could have long-term consequences for patient care and scientific innovation. The NIH’s budget has long been a point of contention in Congress, with debates over its funding priorities and allocation.