NIHExecutiveOrder2025
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative (use both home and work address)
https://appropriations.house.gov/subcommittees/labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies-119th-congress
https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/subcommittees/labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Position]
[Your Institution]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Date]
The Honorable [Name]
United States Congress
[Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Urgent Call to Address NIH Restrictions and Safeguard Economic, Health, and Global Leadership Benefits
Dear [Representative/Senator Name],
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent executive directives affecting the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including restrictions on travel, communications, meetings, and hiring. These abrupt measures jeopardize the NIH’s ability to fulfill its mission, directly threatening public health, economic growth, and U.S. global competitiveness.
The NIH serves as a vital engine for innovation, funding groundbreaking research that has saved lives, bolstered the economy, and maintained the United States’ position as a global leader in biomedical science. Its impact in 2023 alone underscores the urgency of this issue:
Economic Growth and Jobs: NIH funding generated $2.46 in economic activity for every $1 of funding, resulting in $92.9 billion in economic output—a $3 billion increase from 2022 (United for Medical Research, 2023). NIH research grants supported approximately 412,000 jobs nationwide, driving local economies and creating opportunities across sectors.
Health and Well-being: NIH-funded research has consistently led to life-saving breakthroughs. Disruptions to grant reviews and clinical trial recruitment will delay critical research, undermining efforts to combat diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and emerging infectious threats.
Global Competitiveness: With nations such as China and the European Union significantly expanding their investments in research and development, any instability at NIH puts the U.S. at risk of losing its global leadership in biomedical innovation. This not only affects scientific progress but also weakens our ability to attract and retain top talent.
The recent restrictions—including cancellations of grant reviews, halts on study sections, hiring freezes, and travel bans—threaten this critical ecosystem. Without immediate corrective action, the ripple effects could lead to reduced research productivity, loss of jobs, delays in health advancements, and diminished competitiveness in the global research arena.
I urge Congress to take immediate steps to address these challenges:
Restore NIH Operations: Advocate for the swift resumption of grant reviews, advisory council meetings, and communications to minimize delays in funding and research continuity.
Preserve Economic Benefits: Work to exempt NIH from hiring freezes and travel restrictions, allowing the agency to sustain its role as an economic and employment driver.
Protect U.S. Leadership: Ensure that NIH has the operational stability and resources needed to maintain the United States’ leadership in biomedical research and innovation.
Investments in the NIH yield unmatched returns—scientifically, economically, and socially. I urge you to take decisive action to safeguard this indispensable agency, ensuring that its contributions to health, economic growth, and global standing remain undiminished.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I am happy to provide additional details or collaborate on solutions as needed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Institution]
[Contact Information]