Bills · HR 7173
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 7173Health
Follow the Science Act
INTRO JAN 21· LAST ACTION JAN 21
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
43
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to protect the integrity of scientific research funded by taxpayer dollars. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge, developing new treatments, and improving public health. If this bill becomes law, it could ensure that decisions about who gets research funding and how ongoing projects are managed are based purely on scientific merit and not on political considerations or agendas. This could lead to more effective and trustworthy research outcomes.
If the bill doesn't pass, the potential for political influence over NIH operations and funding decisions would remain. This could mean that research priorities might shift based on political whims rather than scientific need, or that valuable research projects could be delayed or canceled without strong, scientific justification. Ensuring scientific independence is vital for maintaining public trust in health research and for efficiently allocating resources to address pressing health challenges.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Defines 'political employee' to clearly distinguish between career civil servants and government officials appointed for political reasons.
This definition is crucial for determining who is subject to the bill's restrictions, aiming to prevent politically appointed individuals from influencing scientific decisions.
PROVISION 02
Prohibits most political employees from working at NIH or participating in its general management and operations.
This provision is intended to insulate the day-to-day administration and strategic direction of NIH from partisan political pressures.
PROVISION 03
Bars any political employee from being involved in the process of awarding grants, contracts, or other funding by NIH or ARPA-H.
This aims to ensure that decisions on who receives federal research funding are based solely on scientific merit and peer review, free from political intervention.
PROVISION 04
Restricts NIH's ability to cancel or suspend existing grants or contracts, requiring specific findings of mismanagement or fraud.
This provision seeks to provide stability and predictability for scientific research projects, protecting them from arbitrary interruptions and ensuring research can be completed as planned.
PROVISION 05
Requires a report to Congress on past participation of political employees in NIH/ARPA-H funding activities.
This aims to provide transparency and accountability regarding any previous political involvement in research funding decisions.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 43
D· Colorado
YRS IN OFFICE
29
BILLS LED
16
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 43 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 21
Introduced in House
JAN 21
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 7173
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 21, 2026
Last actionJan 21, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026
House BillHR 7173Health
Follow the Science Act
INTRODUCED JAN 21, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
5 min
COSPONSORS
43
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
