Protecting Medical Research Funding Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2855

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-05-19T14:47:56Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Protecting Medical Research Funding Act (H.R. 2855) aims to safeguard federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by restricting the executive branch's ability to withhold, move, or redirect these funds without explicit new approval from Congress. This ensures stable support for medical research initiatives.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Fund Adjustments: Discretionary funds appropriated for the NIH cannot be impounded (withheld from spending), transferred (moved to another agency or purpose), or reprogrammed (shifted within the agency to different uses) unless Congress enacts a new law after this Act's passage. The new law must specifically reference this Act to authorize such actions.
• Compliance Certification: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with the NIH Director, must submit a certification to key congressional committees (House Appropriations, House Energy and Commerce, Senate Appropriations, and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) confirming adherence to the Act. This must occur within 30 days of the Act's enactment and annually thereafter.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This Act overrides or supplements the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which generally regulates how the executive branch handles withheld funds but allows some flexibility. For NIH funds specifically, it introduces a stricter barrier, requiring fresh congressional authorization for any changes, rather than relying on existing executive discretion or general impoundment procedures.
• It shifts power toward Congress by mandating explicit, post-enactment legislation for fund alterations, reducing the executive branch's unilateral authority over NIH appropriations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The HHS and NIH will face limited flexibility in managing budgets during fiscal uncertainties, potentially stabilizing research programs but complicating responses to emergencies or shifting priorities without congressional action.
• On Citizens: Ensures consistent funding for NIH-supported medical research, which could accelerate advancements in health treatments and public health outcomes, benefiting patients, scientists, and the broader population reliant on federally funded innovations.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though stable NIH funding could enhance U.S. leadership in global health research collaborations, such as vaccine development or disease studies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• NIH and HHS Leadership: Directly responsible for compliance and certification, with reduced budgetary autonomy.
• Medical Researchers and Institutions: Benefit from protected funding for grants and projects, reducing risks of sudden cuts.
• Congressional Committees: Gain enhanced oversight through required certifications, strengthening their role in health funding decisions.
• Taxpayers and Health Advocates: Indirectly affected through sustained investment in public health research.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces congressional authority over appropriations under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the "power of the purse." It may face challenges if viewed as overly restrictive on executive implementation of laws but aligns with efforts to prevent executive overreach in spending.
• Constitutional: Balances separation of powers by limiting executive impoundment practices, echoing historical debates (e.g., Nixon-era impoundments) resolved by the 1974 Act, while tailoring protections to a specific agency.
• Political: Could spark partisan divides over federal spending control, appealing to those prioritizing research funding while critics might argue it hampers efficient government operations. As an introduced bill, its passage would signal strong bipartisan or legislative support for health research stability.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protecting Medical Research Funding Act — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (2 pages)