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Rep. Krishnamoorthi slams Trump’s NIH cuts
The slashing of funds has raised concerns about the future of U.S. biomedical research and its global leadership in medical innovation.
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Raja Krishnamoorthi / File Photo
Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi alongwith his Democratic colleagues has raised concerns over the Trump administration’s decision to slash the National Institutes of Health’s indirect costs in basic research grants it awards to researchers.
In a directive issued by (NIH) Acting NIH Director Brian Memoli, the health agency said on Feb.7 it will cap reimbursement rate for indirect research costs to 15 percent effective immediately.
The Democratic lawmakers, in a letter to Memoli’s office, described the move as "illegal" and warned of its impact on biomedical research across the country. "The dramatically lower indirect cost rate cap will have far-reaching consequences for institutions and researchers nationwide, reducing their capacity to conduct cutting-edge research," the lawmakers wrote.
"Slashing this funding means cutting financial support for the construction and maintenance of laboratories and high-tech facilities; energy and utility expenses; and the essential safety, security, and other support services researchers need to perform their work,” they added.
The decision has also drawn criticism from research institutions, medical schools, and hospitals that rely on indirect cost reimbursements to sustain research programs. These funds cover essential expenses such as laboratory infrastructure, utility costs, and security services necessary for scientific studies.
The letter warned that without fair reimbursement for these costs, institutions may be forced to shut down laboratories, lay off staff, halt clinical trials, and suspend research programs.
On Feb. 10, a federal judge in Boston issued a nationwide temporary restraining order, halting the administration’s policy following a lawsuit filed by affected institutions. The order temporarily blocks the NIH from implementing the cuts while legal proceedings continue.
Krishnamoorthi and his colleagues have urged the NIH to rescind the decision and explain how it assessed the policy’s impact. "Instead of supporting efforts to cure disease, this policy will severely compromise the United States’ ability to conduct lifesaving research," the lawmakers cautioned.
The letter set a deadline of Feb. 28, for NIH to respond.
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