Protect integrity and funding of vital NIH research

The recent actions taken by the Trump administration to defund and undermine the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are deeply concerning. The NIH is a vital national institution that has made invaluable contributions to biomedical research, leading to life-saving drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics that have benefited millions worldwide. Its funding supports over 400,000 jobs across the country and pumps billions into local economies. The administration's moves to freeze grant funding, ban communication from agency employees, and impose a whitewashed, "slave state" approach to science by banning terms related to race, ethnicity, gender, and equity are unacceptable. This attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs effectively shuts the door on opportunities for historically underrepresented groups, undermining scientific progress and perpetuating systemic discrimination. Furthermore, the drastic cut to indirect cost reimbursements for universities and research institutions will cripple their ability to support the essential infrastructure and personnel required for cutting-edge research. This short-sighted move jeopardizes the nation's preeminence in biomedical research, risking a brain drain as talented scientists seek opportunities elsewhere. We urge you to take immediate action to protect the integrity and funding of the NIH and its dedicated employees. This assault on a national treasure will have far-reaching consequences, impeding vital research, stifling innovation, and undermining public health. The NIH must be safeguarded from this ideologically-driven attack, which threatens to undo decades of progress and leadership in biomedical research.