University lobbyists convinced Congress to force the National Institutes of Health to restart a program once led by Tony Fauci. Officials had shut it down last summer over safety concerns and wasteful spending. Taxpayers will now keep funding these centers for emerging diseases.
The National Institutes of Health decided last summer to close the Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious Diseases. This program began in 2020 under Tony Fauci. Officials believed the work posed risks to Americans and wasted public money. They sent notices to end the projects at several universities.
University lobbyists fought back hard against the closure. They worked behind the scenes to add special language into a major spending bill passed by Congress. This move forced the NIH to reverse its earlier decision and keep the centers open.
The outcome shows how powerful special interests can shape government policy. What started as a clear effort to protect taxpayers turned into another win for lobbyists. Funding will continue despite earlier warnings about safety and value.
Original Author: Paul Thacker | Source: Brownstone Institute
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