NIH Vigils Newsletter 12/7/2025
Updates for the Week of December 6
The Good: EPA Employees Challenge Dissent Retaliation
Former EPA employees, who had been fired in retaliation for signing an open dissent letter against the politicization of science and policies endangering public health, filed legal challenges. Their terminations violate federal employees’ First Amendment rights and civil service protections. Employees claim the firings were arbitrary and retaliatory. Nearly 160 employees signed the June 30th letter—only a small number of them were fired, while others faced suspension. The agency aims to instill fear and silence internal opposition. At EPA and NIH: Courage Is Contagious.
The Bad: Federal Employees and Programs Under Attack
Reinstated FEMA Employees Placed On Leave
FEMA employees were reinstated on Monday, December 1, after a judge determined that their firing was unconstitutional. Later that day, they were placed on leave again by political appointees, once DHS leadership was made aware of the reinstatement. This petty behavior is unacceptable.
America’s Seed Fund Program on Hold
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, often called “America’s Seed Fund,” is paused. The federal government’s investment in small businesses is on hold indefinitely until legislation is passed by the Senate reaffirming funding. The pause will lead to the shuttering of some of these small businesses, true engines of American innovation.
And the Ugly: ACIP on Hepatitis B Vaccine
ACIP voted to change the recommended Hep B vaccine schedule for newborns. This is concerning: mother-to-baby transmission at birth is the most common cause of chronic hep B infection, which can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Hep B virus spreads easily and requires only a small dose to cause infections. Even though it is bloodborne and sexually transmitted, it can be spread casually in ways that people can’t always predict. Of the babies that contract hep B near birth, 95% develop the chronic form, with about 25% of chronically infected children eventually dying from liver disease. Delaying the vaccine will likely result in thousands of additional infections and hundreds of unnecessary deaths. We do NOT trust RFK Jr.’s handpicked ACIP members. They are failing to protect the American public.
Calls to Action
Maryland Graduate Worker Collective Bargaining Rights
A supermajority of University of Maryland graduate workers have organized to form a union, yet still require state legislation to legally secure their collective bargaining rights. Despite their essential role in the university's teaching and research, these workers face low pay, instability, and no formal voice to negotiate improvements. A supportive bill passed the House, yet the Senate version stalled, leaving UMD graduate workers behind. Please support UMD graduate worker rights by signing the petition.
Help Shape the Future of American Science
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) invites comments and suggestions for accelerating U.S. scientific progress. You can provide input on funding, innovation, and research policies, in areas ranging from improving public-private collaboration, translating discoveries into market-ready technologies, and removing barriers to high-risk, high-reward research. Respond by December 26, 2025.
Continue to Call Your Representatives
In addition to defending science funding, healthcare, NIH, and former and current staff, please argue for an informed, scientific, data-driven ACIP panel and support Hep B vaccination at birth. When calling elected officials, please mention support for the SBIR/STTR program.
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.
This event is not sponsored by the NIH and views shared do not represent the NIH or the federal government.