Susan Collins Warns Trump on NIH Grant Plan as Polls Show Tight Maine Race
Summary
Senator Susan Collins warned President Donald Trump's administration against involving political officials in decisions about National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. This warning comes amid a close Senate race in Maine and reports that Trump may issue an order for political review of nearly $50 billion in NIH funding.Key Facts
- Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, opposes plans for political oversight of NIH grant decisions.
- NIH distributes about $50 billion annually for medical and scientific research.
- President Trump is considering an executive order to create a commission to review how NIH grants are awarded.
- The White House budget chief criticized NIH for funding projects seen as not aligned with Trump’s priorities.
- Collins and other congressional leaders warn that political reviews would undermine the scientific merit-based grant process.
- Collins argues that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should not interfere with NIH grant awards.
- Earlier in July, Collins asked the OMB to stop a proposed rule that would add a political layer to grant evaluations.
- Recent polls show Collins is in a tight Senate race against Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
