Stop RFK’s BS Act
This bill would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reinstate and deem as obligated any NIH grants or other awards that were terminated or suspended between January 20, 2025 and the enactment date of the bill, provided the NIH Director has not made a finding of financial mismanagement, research fraud, or malfeasance related to those grants or awards. It also requires that any approved payment requests for those grants be disbursed promptly—within 30 days of submission—and grants that are reinstated or disbursed would have their budget periods extended by one year. The bill also defines key terms and designates a short title, with a provocative legislative label suggesting opposition to certain scientists or viewpoints. In short, the legislation aims to reverse NIH funding disruptions occurring in early 2025 by restoring funding eligibility and accelerating payments, while adding a one-year extension to the affected grants’ timelines, unless serious misconduct is found.
Key Points
- 1Reinstatement and obligations: Any NIH grants or awards terminated or suspended from January 20, 2025 up to enactment must be reinstated and treated as obligated, unless the NIH Director determines there was financial mismanagement, research fraud, or malfeasance.
- 2Timely disbursement: A payment request related to a covered grant or award must be disbursed as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the request is submitted to an NIH official.
- 3Budget period extension: For grants that are reinstated or disbursed, the budget period is extended by one year from the date of enactment.
- 4Definitions: Clarifies terms such as “budget period,” “covered grant or award,” “Director,” and “NIH official” (including the Director and other NIH officials responsible for awarding federal funds).
- 5Legislative and administrative context: Introduced in the House by Ms. Stevens on September 26, 2025, referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; carries a short, politically charged title, “Stop RFK’s Bad Science Act” (also “Stop RFK’s BS Act”).