House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers Releases Framework for NIH Reform

Earlier this month, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), in partnership with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL), released a framework outlining potential reforms for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A one-pager on the framework can be found here as well as an opinion piece written by Chairs McMorris Rodgers and Aderholt. Chair McMorris Rodgers has also announced her intent to not seek re-election this November.

The framework comes after a series of recommendations, including Senator Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) white paper on NIH reform released in May (see previous COSSA coverage) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Representative Larry Bucshon’s (R-IN) inquiries into a Cures 2.0 Act (see previous COSSA coverage). With the upcoming elections in November and a potential shift in control in both chambers, it is not unusual for members of Congress to release recommendations for priority agencies.

The framework recommendations outlined by Chairs McMorris Rodgers and Aderholt include structural changes that would combine several institutes and suggested policy reform, including a congressionally mandated complete review of the NIH and introducing term limits to institute leadership. The framework also discusses ways to improve transparency and accountability in the agency as well as support research and innovation.

In addition, the framework discusses proposed grant reforms with a focus on protecting U.S. innovation from foreign influence and encouraging accountability among researchers. It includes recommendations to prohibit gain of function research, a continued point of contention among Republicans following the COVID-19 pandemic (see previous COSSA coverage), establishing an independent review of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and mandated reporting on grants to foreign countries.

Feedback on the framework is requested and can be submitted to NIHReform@mail.house.gov by August 16, 2024.