Abolish the Fogarty International Center Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1120
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-13T22:58:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Abolish the Fogarty International Center Act of 2025," aims to eliminate the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that supports international biomedical research and training.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: Establishes the official name of the act as the "Abolish the Fogarty International Center Act of 2025."
- Abolishment: Directly states that the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences is abolished, with no additional details provided on implementation, such as asset transfer, staff reassignment, or ongoing program wind-down.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill would repeal the statutory authority establishing the Fogarty International Center (originally created under the Public Health Service Act in 1968), effectively dissolving a federal entity dedicated to fostering global health research collaborations.
- No transitional measures or reallocations of resources are specified, marking a stark departure from the center's ongoing role in funding and coordinating international health initiatives within the NIH framework.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The NIH would lose a key division focused on global health, potentially disrupting research programs, grants, and partnerships; this could lead to administrative restructuring and reallocation of budgets to other NIH institutes.
- On Citizens: U.S. researchers and health professionals involved in international collaborations may face reduced funding opportunities, indirectly affecting advancements in global health issues like infectious diseases that could impact domestic public health.
- On International Relations: Abolition could strain U.S. ties with foreign research institutions and governments, as the center supports joint projects in low- and middle-income countries, potentially diminishing America's leadership in global health diplomacy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NIH and Federal Health Agencies: Direct operational impact, including loss of specialized staff and expertise.
- Researchers and Academics: U.S. and international scientists who rely on Fogarty grants for training and collaborative projects.
- International Partners: Health organizations, universities, and governments in other countries that participate in Fogarty-funded initiatives.
- Taxpayers: Potential short-term savings from eliminating the center's budget (approximately $100 million annually, based on public records), though long-term effects on health innovation are unclear.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill's brevity raises questions about implementation under existing federal laws, such as the Administrative Procedure Act, which may require rulemaking for dissolution; it could invite challenges if not accompanied by guidance on handling contracts, intellectual property, or ongoing grants.
- Constitutional: No direct constitutional issues, but it touches on Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8), allowing defunding of programs without broader NIH reform.
- Political: Introduced by Republican representatives, this reflects efforts to reduce federal spending on non-essential programs; passage would signal a shift toward domestic-focused health priorities, potentially sparking debate over the value of international research in addressing global threats like pandemics.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Abolish the Fogarty International Center Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-07 — PDF (1 pages)