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HR 2855119th CongressIn Committee
Protecting Medical Research Funding Act
Introduced: Apr 10, 2025
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The Protecting Medical Research Funding Act would shield NIH discretionary funding from deferral, transfer, or reprogramming unless Congress passes a new law after the bill’s enactment that explicitly authorizes such action and specifically references this Act. In short, it locks NIH funds against unilateral budget cuts, shifts, or reallocation by the executive branch without new, express congressional authorization. The bill also requires annual compliance certifications from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the NIH Director to key congressional committees, confirming they are following the Act’s requirements.
Key Points
- 1Prohibits deferral, transfer, or reprogramming of NIH discretionary funds unless a subsequent statute (explicitly referencing this Act) authorizes it.
- 2The “notwithstanding” clause means this limitation overrides other laws, including the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
- 3Requires a certification of compliance within 30 days after enactment and annually thereafter, submitted to specified House and Senate committees.
- 4Certification must come from the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the NIH Director.
- 5The bill’s primary focus is protecting NIH funding; the text provided does not detail other purposes beyond this funding protection.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected:- National Institutes of Health and the medical research community (researchers, universities, grant recipients) that rely on NIH discretionary funding stability.Secondary group/area affected:- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress (budget oversight), plus policymakers who oversee NIH funding.Additional impacts:- Potential reduction in executive flexibility to address emergencies or reallocate funds quickly.- Increased congressional control and transparency over NIH budgeting through mandatory certifications and reporting.
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