This Act prohibits the deferral, transfer, or reprogramming of congressionally appropriated funds for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) without subsequent, explicit legislative authorization.
Timothy Kennedy
Representative
NY-26
The Protecting Medical Research Funding Act ensures that funds appropriated by Congress specifically for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) cannot be withheld, transferred, or reprogrammed for other uses. This legislation establishes a strict limitation on the executive branch's ability to shift NIH funding unless explicitly authorized by a subsequent Act of Congress. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must annually certify compliance with these requirements to relevant Congressional committees.
New Act Locks Down NIH Funds: No More Budget Shifts for Medical Research
If you’ve ever had a budget line item suddenly vanish because someone upstairs decided to “reallocate” funds, you know the frustration. Now imagine that happening to billions of dollars earmarked for finding cures for Alzheimer’s, cancer, or diabetes. That’s the problem the Protecting Medical Research Funding Act is trying to solve.
The Budget Lockbox for NIH
This bill is short, punchy, and zeroes in on one thing: making sure the money Congress sets aside for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) actually gets spent on the NIH. Once Congress approves those discretionary funds, this Act puts up a giant wall preventing the Executive Branch—meaning the White House or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—from holding back (impounding), transferring, or moving that money to any other program. Think of it as putting the NIH’s budget in a locked vault. The bill explicitly states that this rule overrides other laws, including the old Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which previously gave the administration some wiggle room to delay spending.
Why This Matters for Everyday Life
Why should you care if a few billion dollars are sitting in the right federal account? Because medical research isn't a light switch you can turn on and off. Research labs, whether they are looking for a better flu vaccine or trying to understand the human brain, rely on consistent, predictable funding. When funds are unexpectedly delayed or moved mid-year, research projects stall, scientists get laid off, and years of work can be lost. This Act ensures that when a researcher gets an NIH grant to study, say, the long-term effects of concussions, they know the money will actually be there when they need it, providing stability that accelerates the pace of discovery.
The Accountability Check
To keep everyone honest, the bill includes a clear accountability mechanism. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Director of the NIH must send a formal certification to key Congressional committees (Appropriations, Energy and Commerce, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) every year. This certification is basically a signed promise that they have followed the rules and haven’t messed with the NIH’s funding. If they want to move the money in the future, the bill requires Congress to pass a brand new law that specifically authorizes the shift and mentions this Act. The message is clear: if you want to change the NIH budget, you need Congress’s express permission, not just an administrative memo.