U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senator Patty Murray and the Senate Democratic Caucus, has raised concerns over recent actions by the Trump Administration that they claim threaten America's biomedical research infrastructure. In a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the senators expressed alarm about potential funding shortfalls for research institutions nationwide.
The letter follows Senator Hirono's earlier warning against Secretary Kennedy's confirmation, citing his history as an anti-vaccine activist and the threat he poses to public health. Hirono emphasized the negative impact cuts to NIH funding could have on Hawaii's University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
"As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH plays a critical role in sustaining the research infrastructure necessary for scientific breakthroughs," stated the senators. They criticized President Trump's initial actions in office, including a hiring freeze and cancellation of grant review panels.
Recently, NIH announced a cap on indirect cost rates at 15 percent for grants, which lawmakers argue is illegal under Congress' bipartisan Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill. The senators warn this could halt research progress and negatively affect patients relying on clinical trials.
The letter highlights that NIH-supported research generated significant economic activity and job support in Fiscal Year 2023. The senators urge Secretary Kennedy to prevent further disruptions to lifesaving work at NIH.
"We urge you to stop playing political games with the lifesaving work of the NIH and to allow NIH research to continue uninterrupted," concluded the letter signed by all members of the Senate Democratic caucus.