In CommitteeFiled Jan 21, 2026
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (D)
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 21, 2026
Summary
The Follow the Science Act amends the Public Health Service Act to keep political appointees out of NIH staffing, policy decisions, and grant award processes, except for the NIH Director, the National Cancer Institute Director, and the ARPA‑H Director. It also requires the NIH Director to report any political employee involvement in those activities since January 2021. The aim is to ensure that NIH research and funding decisions are driven by science, not politics.
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