Senators Question NIH Director In 2026 Budget Hearing
Tuesday, June 10, U.S. Senators posed tough questions to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jayanta Bhattacharya during a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the NIH.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chair of the Appropriations Committee, said: “I am well aware that you have devoted your life to medical research, to health economics, and that you care very deeply about NIH. That is why the Administration's reduction of more than $19 billion to the agency's budget, that is approximately 40 percent, is so disturbing. It would undo years of Congressional investment in NIH, and it would delay or stop effective treatments and cures from being developed for diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, Type 1 Diabetes, I could go on and on.”
“This is my first time through this budget fight, and so I'm still learning, but I'll tell you, from what I understand is that the budget is a collaborative effort between Congress and the Administration. I look forward to working with you all to advance the needs, the real health needs, of not just the folks here in the room who represent Alzheimer's patients, but also the health needs of all Americans,” Bhattacharya stated in his response.
Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) said to NIH Director Jayanta Bhattacharya, "I can't understand it. I disagree with this administration on so many things. But this is the one that really gets to me personally. To think that this nation would walk away from medical research.”
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) criticized the reduction to the NIH’s total spending as well, stating: “While I think Congress will reject your budget request, it clearly shows the administration’s intent….How is this proposal anything but intentionally sabotaging biomedical research?”
At the same time, NIH staff demanded in “The Bethesda Declaration: A Call for NIH and HHS Leadership to Deliver on Promises of Academic Freedom and Scientific Excellence,” to have research and academic excellence restored. The declaration was addressed to the NIH director and stated that the staff was compelled to speak up when “leadership prioritizes political momentum over human safety and faithful stewardship of public resources.” The declaration was published a day prior to Bhattacharya visiting the Senate Appropriations Committee to answer questions about NIH’s proposed 2026 budget.
