Lawmakers Press NIH on Funding Delays, Research Priorities
Published March 23, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy OME Advocate
- On March 17, 2026, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health (NIH) director and acting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies during an oversight hearing on NIH priorities, funding and operations.
- Dr. Bhattacharya stated his aim to strengthen accountability and transparency and modernize how NIH funds science to ensure greater geographic distribution.
- Members emphasized the critical importance of sustained biomedical research and NIH’s central role in advancing treatments and improving public health, while raising concerns about funding delays and workforce challenges.
- The Office of Management and Budget recently signed off on NIH’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending plan after missing the 30-day statutory deadline. Dr. Bhattacharya indicated that existing funding would be quickly distributed and future funding decisions would be based on scientific merit.
- For more information about the hearing, view AACOM’s analysis.