Key facts
- The Pentagon is attempting to divert billions of dollars from the National Institutes of Health to cover budget shortfalls.
- Representative Rosa DeLauro, top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, revealed the Pentagon's actions.
- The funds in question were appropriated to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for critical biomedical research.
- The Pentagon's budget gap is attributed to the war with Iran.
- DeLauro called the attempt to divert funds "outrageous" and demanded the termination of the interagency agreement.
The Pentagon is reportedly attempting to access billions of dollars appropriated to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to address budget shortfalls stemming from the war with Iran, according to Representative Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. DeLauro stated that the Department of Defense has entered into a secretive interagency agreement that could allow it to tap into funds designated for critical biomedical research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
DeLauro described the Pentagon's effort as an attempt to "siphon" research funds and called for the immediate termination of the agreement. She emphasized that these funds were allocated for life-saving medical research and not for defense spending, particularly as the Pentagon faces significant financial pressure six months into the Iran war. The Navy, for instance, has reported a shortfall of between $6 billion and $8 billion, while Congress considers a $95 billion supplemental spending request primarily for war costs.
NIH officials reportedly disclosed the Pentagon's actions only after Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee pressed them for information. An NIH spokesperson confirmed that the agency had explored a partnership with the Defense Department, framing it as a collaboration on medical technologies to enhance emergency response capabilities, rather than a direct funding diversion. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment. This development is likely to become a focal point if Democrats gain a majority in the next Congress.