NIH Vigils Newsletter 11/16/2025
Updates for the Week of November 15
The End of the Shutdown
The Senate and House passed a continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government until January 30, 2026, at the funding level of fiscal year 2025. It brought an end to the longest shutdown in American history, 43 long days. We are disappointed that the CR did not meaningfully restrain lawlessness, but we are happy to be back serving the American public and the research community. The shutdown generated a big political battle, a fight for values, measures, and policies that support the American public, as well as placed some boundaries on this administration. The shutdown also put the spotlight on an administration hellbent on making healthcare more expensive and ready to starve citizens to make the other side capitulate.
Impacts of Shutdown on NIH Peer Review
The shutdown paused and caused the postponement of 379 study section review meetings, delaying the review of 24,380 grant applications. The delays will compound and only be caught up by February 2026,at the best. NIH peer review is exemplary and assures that public funds are directed to the most meritorious science, as determined by independent, external experts in the field. Applications are evaluated according to their importance, rigor, and feasibility, as well as ethics and safety. The process is key to funding the best and more promising science, preventing your tax dollars from being directed to cronies.
Dr. Jenna Norton Placed on Administrative Leave
On November 13, the first day back from the government shutdown, at 2:00 p.m., Dr. Jenna Norton was placed on “non-disciplinary” administrative leave from her Program Director position at NIH / NIDDK. Dr. Norton has been speaking out in her personal capacity about the dangerous, unethical, and wasteful actions of this NIH leadership, and the all-out assault on the NIH and its mission. HHS claims Dr. Norton is a “radical leftist” and is guilty of “criticizing the administration when she was supposed to be working”. This is retaliation, pure and simple. We stand with Jenna!
Rumors of Additional Retaliation Against Other Signers
Multiple sources leaked discussions during a closed-door meeting of NIH leadership about administrative actions against other public signers of the Bethesda Declaration. So far, no one else has been put on administrative leave. More than 600 NIH current and former workers signed, and we remain Stronger Together.
Senator Murray Responds to Political Retaliation at NIH
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)—Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former chair and senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a scathing statement in the wake of Jenna’s admin leave announcement, saying: “If this administration thinks that summarily ousting NIH employees whose only offense is calling on the agency to respect science and academic freedom will go unnoticed, they can think again.” She demanded answers from the Trump Administration and RFK, Jr. and warned against further retaliation.
Fundraiser for 27 uNIHted
Join us in a fundraising event for 27uNIHted on December 12, 2025, 7-11 p.m. at Chacho Bar & Distillery. Live music from Allstrike, The Laterals, and Ammonite. Please note that the event is on the second floor but there is no elevator. You can bring your own food, and there is parking.
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,
NIH Vigils
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Medical Center Metro Station in front of the NIH Visitors Center.
Accessible parking is available at the Park and Ride. We recommend taking the Metro in. There is ample free parking at Grosvenor/Strathmore station one stop away.