Trump plans executive order giving political appointee veto over NIH grants

The White House is drafting an executive order that would give OMB head Russell Vought veto power over every NIH grant, the agency's $47 billion budget. NIH director Jay Bhattacharya reportedly objected at a meeting but lost; a committee of Vought and Bhattacharya would have to unanimously approve each grant.

• Order would give OMB head Russell Vought veto over every NIH grant
• NIH's $47 billion budget exceeds the next 10 research funders combined
• A Vought-Bhattacharya committee would need unanimous approval per grant
• Courts and Congress previously blocked NIH cuts and new grant rules