NIH Vigils Newsletter 9/15/2025
Updates for the weeks of Aug 31-Sept 13
Dear Vigilantes and Vigil Aunties,
We missed putting out last week’s issue, so today’s newsletter is extra long. As we all know, two weeks in 2025 is like 2 months in any other timeline. But stay tuned for a special treat at the end!
Save HHS
On September 3, 2025, more than 1,000 current and former Health and Human Services staff members called for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The letter to Congress sharply critiqued Kennedy for firing CDC director Susan Monarez; causing the resignations of senior CDC officials; appointing political ideologues; spreading misinformation about vaccines, infectious disease and autism; failing to promote transparent, unbiased science; rescinding the FDA emergency use authorizations for COVID vaccines; and disregarding experts and the HHS workforce, stating “Trusting experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy.”
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Senate Hearing
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. testified Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee. It was a highly contentious hearing, and Kennedy was asked pointed questions by members of both parties. Themes included questions about COVID vaccine access, Kennedy’s knowledge of COVID statistics, and his handling of the CDC shooting several weeks ago. Kennedy became increasingly agitated, often yelling and shouting disparaging remarks at Senators; for example, Kennedy stated that Senator Ben Ray Luján was “talking gibberish” when discussing autism research.
Spending Bill Battle: Stand Up - Shut Trump Down!
On September 30, the government will shut down unless Congress passes a funding bill. It is unlikely that Congress will agree on an appropriations package, so a Continuing Resolution (CR) is likely - essentially an extension of last year’s funding levels while continuing to negotiate. Passing a CR requires 60 votes to overcome the filibuster in the Senate, which means both Democrats and Republicans must agree to it. Last time, in March, Democratic leadership caved and agreed to a “dirty” CR which gave Trump and DOGE more power. This time needs to be different! We must demand a fighting CR that preserves the balance of power, restores constitutional checks and balances, and provides protections for science, human rights, and the American people. We are collecting signatures from current and former federal workers, but we also need people to call Congress and demand their support.
More Potential RIFs at NIH
There may be a new wave of RIFs returning to NIH next week, targeting 53 of the remaining staff in communications. This is likely part of an effort to consolidate communications centrally and also reduce public-facing outreach. NIH workers are on edge.
CDC No-Bid Contract for Autism Research
CDC published a Notice of Intent to award a no-bid contract to look for a link between vaccines and autism, which has already been thoroughly debunked. There is no peer review or competition for this contract.
More Misinformation from FDA
Next week, FDA plans to attempt to link child deaths to the covid vaccine. The data come from unverified accounts submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS), which is not intended or designed to be used to infer causation.
Banned Words in NIH Grants
Jay Bhattacharya claims there are no banned words in NIH grants. Former NIGMS director Jeremy Berg examined grants that were terminated and reinstated and looked for words that were missing in the reinstated versions of the same grant. These words are represented in a word cloud.
Biohealth Beats is Live!
27 UNIHTED has launched a new project to capture and share the stories of those affected by NIH cuts. Read these powerful stories and add your own.
Happening This Week
Save NASA Rally: Mon Sept 15, 8 am - 1 pm, NASA HQ. Our very own Mollie Manier will be a speaker around noon!
Fight for Science Rally: Wed Sept 17, 8 am - 11 am, AAAS HQ, 1200 New York Ave. Jay Bhattacharya will be speaking at AAAS in the morning, and we want to make sure our voices are heard!
AND NOW, A SPECIAL TREAT
Original poetry from one of our own, channeling the voice of Dr. Seuss.
Sack the Quack
In a land not far away,
Doctors toiled night and day
Curing coughs and curing sneezles,
Not to mention mumps and measles.
In this land, there lived a fellow
Who was so jealous he turned yellow.
Although he had a well-known name,
He himself had earned no fame.
“Drat those doctors!” said the man.
“Science is hard to understand!”
Then he had an awful thought,
A thought he liked an awful lot.
He made a sign that said, “BEWARE”
“VACCINES AND OTHER STANDARD CARE!”
“INSTEAD, JUST DRINK RAW MILK AND TAKE
IVERMECTIN AND VITAMIN A!”
A mad king happened to see the sign.
He thought, “This is my kind of guy.”
He hired the charlatan then and there
To post more signs up everywhere.
People weren’t sure what to think.
Was raw milk really safe to drink?!
For a while, some were fooled.
They followed all his random rules.
But soon enough, they realized
He had told them bold-faced lies.
Vaccines were safe; raw milk was not.
The more they learned, the madder they got.
Meanwhile, the doctors got together
And wrote a sternly worded letter.
It said in no uncertain terms,
“This man’s brain is full of worms.”
“For hard work, he does not care.
He would rather poke a bear.
Our nation’s health is under attack.
Enough’s enough—let’s SACK THE QUACK!”
“Yes, indeed!” the people cried.
“Enough’s enough—we nearly died!”
They called their reps. They organized
So no one would fall for the charlatan’s lies.
And did the people succeed in their task?
That’s up to you. That’s why we ask:
Pick up the phone, sit back, relax,
And tell your Congressman: “SACK THE QUACK!”
What Can You Do?
It’s not too late to provide public comment on EPA’s attempt to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding that allows regulation of greenhouse gases. Suggested talking points at the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health.
Read and sign on to agency dissent letters linked below. Continue to call Congress including HELP and Appropriations Committee members - it does help! Stay aware of everything happening and share with your friends, family, and neighbors. Join us weekly, volunteer to help, and spread the word about the NIH Vigils and 27 UNIHTED. More ideas are available.
Sign the Federal Agency Dissent Letters
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Keep up the good trouble, and stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
NIH Vigils
Saturdays, 10 am, Medical Center Metro Station