27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 1/25/2026
Greetings NIH Vigilers and 27 UNIHTED Community,
Calls to Action:
Save HHS Statement:
In a joint initiative with the National Public Health Coalition called Save HHS, we authored a letter calling out Senators to withhold funding from ICE until ICE stops invading American cities and stops violating the Constitution. This is with the understanding that without passage of a budget bill we may go into a government shutdown. Please read the letter and call your Senators to oppose funding for ICE until the lawlessness stops.
Check out our Call to Action webpage to learn how you can submit comments in response to notices about probationary employees’ MSPB appeal rights; the reorganization of NIH’s Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI); and NIH embryonic cell research.
27 UNIHTED Events:
Peer empowerment call Thursday at 6:00 p.m. ET—new attendees should register to receive login information
NIH Vigils every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
27 UNIHTED benefit concert featuring folk and Americana group Barnstorm with special guest Dr. Francis Collins on February 15 at the Alley at Bethesda Boards. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.! Tickets on sale now—free for fired/displaced federal workers.
Community Events
WellFed and OneAID Present, Make a Meal, Share a Meal—a [Still] Serving Series
What: Join OneAID and WellFed for an afternoon of making bagged lunches to share with local shelters in our community, followed by a special snow globe craft with Red Panda Art Studio, a shared pizza dinner, and 2 hours of Clayboys’ Shave Ice!
When: Saturday, January 31, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Washington, D.C. (address provided upon registration)
This is a family-friendly event and expected to fill quickly, so sign up today!
With Love, We Rise: A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Federal Workers
When: Saturday, February 14, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Meditation Museum in Maryland (Silver Spring).
Free event (donations appreciated), advance registration required
OneAID Biweekly Community Coffee
When: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
Where: MLK Public Library on 901 G St NW in Washington, DC.
Join at a table in Marianne's Cafe inside the library on the main floor—look for the OneAID sign.
Vigil “Auntie” News
LHHS Appropriations Bill Released
Congress dropped its appropriations bill for the NIH and other agencies this week. The budget is a marginal increase and includes language ensuring NIH does not negotiate indirect costs, but provides little other support. The bill ensures multi-year funding will not extend beyond the 39% levels of fiscal year (FY) 2025, but this was a devastating increase from FY24. There are also no substantive restrictions on politicizing Institute and Center Director searches or the further dismantling of NIH.
NIH Bans Research on Human Fetal Tissue Research
NIH has announced a proposal to end human fetal tissue research. This is a big disappointment and will hinder future research. You can leave comments on the Federal Register to decry this policy.
Reorganization of DPCPSI
DPCPSI in the NIH Office of the Director is proposing to establish the following offices: Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) and Office of Research Economics, Planning, and Analysis (OREPA). These offices will be dedicated to developing technology to eliminate use of mammals in research. Learn more and submit comments.
Wellness Weekly
Our somewhat serious community recommendations for self care are:
Watch the new season of Bridgerton
Visit your local library for to discover some new favorite reads for free
Spend some quality time on the sofa with a mug of hot tea
Start planning your spring garden
Positive News
Follow the Science Act Introduced by Colorado Representative Degette, Endorsed by the Science and Freedom Alliance and 27 UNIHTED
This week, Representative Diane Degette of Colorado introduced the Follow the Science Act to enact protections for NIH and keep NIH research safe from politicians. The bill limits the number of political appointees, prohibits them from interfering in grant review, and prohibits termination of grants without scientific cause.
HHS Employees Win Right to Have Class Action Civil Lawsuit
A judge ruled that inaccurate reduction in force (RIF) notifications that were sent to HHS employees violated the Privacy Act, allowing the 10,000 employees impacted by the RIF to be covered by a class action lawsuit.
As always, please feel free to share this newsletter with people and groups you think would be interested.
Keep up the good trouble, and stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
27 UNIHTED and NIH Vigils