Senate Panel Rejects Trump Health Cuts, Boosts NIH Funding

The Senate Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly rejected President Trump's proposed 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), instead approving a bill that increases NIH funding by $400 million for fiscal year 2026. The committee also rejected the administration's plans to reorganize the NIH, cap indirect costs paid to research institutions, and slash funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), allocating $9.1 billion to the CDC as opposed to the proposed $4.2 billion. Targeted increases were included for cancer research, Alzheimer's disease, and women's health, reflecting bipartisan support for sustained biomedical research investment. Additionally, the committee opposed the White House's proposal to create a new Administration for a Healthy America to absorb existing health agencies, as no formal reorganization plan was submitted for congressional review. Other health and education programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Job Corps training were also preserved against proposed eliminations. Senators expressed frustration with the White House's halting of congressionally approved funds and emphasized their commitment to maintaining life-saving research and health initiatives despite the administration's budget cuts.