27 UNIHTED / NIH Vigils Newsletter 2/15/26
Hi NIH Vigilers and 27 UNIHTED community,
Happy February and Black History Month!
Calls to Action
Leave comments on the Federal Register or NIH’s website — stop harmful policy targeting stem cell research!
Reach out to your Representatives and urge them to:
Re-authorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program
Introduce legislation to limit multi-year funding at NIH (Vought’s dirty trick to cut the budget for new science)
Support the “Follow the Science Act,” that would shield NIH from many sources of political interference
Oppose Oregon National Primate Research Center closure
Help Out the NIH Community:
Review a resume
Host a job workshop
Plan a happy hour
Volunteer and/or advocate with 27 UNIHTED
Find more links to take action and volunteer on our website!
In addition, we now have a donation link directly on our website and are working on moving our merchandise to our website as well.
Upcoming Events
27 UNIHTED Events:
Weekly Peer Empowerment Call every Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Weekly NIH Vigil every Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Barnstorm Fundraiser. Join 27 UNIHTED on Sunday, February 15 at Bethesda Boards (7900 Woodmont Ave.) for a folk music concert to support displaced NIH workers. The first show is sold out, but there are still tickets for the second at performance 8:30 p.m. (doors open 8:00 p.m.) Special guest: Former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins. Purchase tickets through the Bethesda Boards website. Tickets cost $40 but fired feds attend free. Email info@27unihted.org for more information.
Community Events
CANCELED: Cabaret Nights at Spotlight Theatre presents Allstrike on Sunday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. Due to a waterline break and flood at the venue, this event has been canceled but will be rescheduled for spring or early summer. Anyone who purchased tickets should receive an email about ticket transfers or refunds.
Join Stand Up for Science at the Rally to Take Back Science, Health, and Democracy on March 7 in Washington, DC
Another No Kings Rally will be held nationwide on March 28.
Vigil “Auntie” News
One Year Since the Valentine’s Day Massacre
Probationary federal workers were illegally fired a year ago today. Some have been reinstated as a result of lawsuits. Many have not. Some have been able to pivot and find new jobs in the last year. We don’t know how many have not. In the last year, HHS has lost more than 17,000 workers—more than 4,000 at NIH alone.
Another NIH Institute/Center Director Forced Out
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Director Dr. Lindsey Criswell’s term was not renewed. This makes 15 out of 27 IC Director vacancies at NIH.
NIH National Institute of Allergy and and Infectious Diseases Dropping Pandemic Preparedness
NIAID staff were instructed to remove the words “biodefense” and “pandemic preparedness” from the NIAID website.
CDC Ousts Leadership
Acting CDC Director and Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart are being removed from their positions. We don’t know why or who will replace them. They will be re-appointed elsewhere in the administration, but it is unclear where.
Changes to PMAPs
Memos to NIH and CDC stated that the personnel performance ratings will move from a 5 point scale to 3 points, with virtually no top ratings. PMAPs will also be expected to align with one of the topics on the President’s Management Agenda. Federal worker unions are preparing to fight back.
FDA Playing Politics, Refusing to Review Moderna’s Flu Vaccine
According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, the decision comes after the FDA previously indicated support for the company’s phase 3 trial of its mRNA flu vaccine.
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation Dismantled at Administration for Children and Families
OPRE informed ACT how programs for early childhood education, child welfare, family poverty, and foster care are designed and run to best serve our most vulnerable communities.
White House Blocks Spending of Appropriated Funds at NASA and CDC
In a move already facing legal challenges, the Trump administration moved to block or pause congressionally approved funding for NASA science missions and CDC grants.
Administration Continues to Harass Universities
The Trump administration is demanding Harvard’s records about admitted students and applicants and is suing for their release. Harvard says they are not legally required to comply.
Department of Homeland Security Shutdown
The third government shutdown in five months began at 12:01 a.m. on February 13, over a fight to rein in ICE lawlessness. It is unlikely to curb ICE for now, because they still have $70 billion that is unaffected by the shutdown.
Endangerment Finding Revoked
This is a huge blow to regulating emissions causing climate change and will likely be battled in court.
Wellness Weekly
Our somewhat serious community recommendations for self care are:
Join us at the Barnstorm concert
Read a book
Watch a movie with your friends
Positive News
27 UNIHTED is now an incorporated entity in Delaware!
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was awesome!
In solidarity,
27 UNIHTED and NIH Vigils