Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought testified on April 15 and 16 before the House and Senate Budget Committees, respectively, on the president’s fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget request (PBR) released on April 3 [refer to Washington Highlights, April 10].
House members in both parties discussed White House proposals for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with Democrats expressing concerns about proposed cuts to the agency and caps on indirect costs. House Republicans and Vought raised concerns about public trust in the agency and potential wasteful spending, emphasizing that these should be priority areas for the White House.
The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research, convened by the AAMC and representing nearly 600 organizations, including patients, clinicians, scientists, educators, academic and research institutions, and industry, submitted a statement for the record (PDF) to the April 15 House Budget Committee hearing, expressing concern about proposals included the PBR that could weaken the ability of the NIH to support medical research. The statement also emphasized OMB’s and the administration’s role in eliminating any disruptions, delays, and unnecessary administrative barriers that may prevent the NIH from expending its current appropriation at a pace that more closely resembles that of past fiscal years.
House appropriators will begin to mark up FY 2027 appropriations legislation starting this week. The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee plans to mark up its spending bill on June 5, with full committee markup tentatively scheduled for June 9.