H.R.4007 - Prevent Halting of Active Research Act of 2025; PHARA Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.4007, the Prevent Halting of Active Research Act of 2025 (PHARA Act of 2025), aims to ensure continuous funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant agreements. It prohibits the termination of these agreements for active and ongoing research. The bill also mandates the inclusion of termination clauses in future NIH grant agreements, specifying conditions for termination such as material breach or mutual agreement.
Expected Effects
The bill would prevent the NIH from freezing or terminating funding for ongoing research projects. It would also require the NIH to release already allocated funds and pay pending reimbursements. Future grant agreements will include termination clauses, but termination based solely on changing program goals or agency priorities would be prohibited.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures consistent funding for vital research projects, promoting scientific advancement.
- Protects researchers and institutions from abrupt funding cuts, allowing for better planning and resource allocation.
- Promotes stability in the research sector, potentially attracting more talent and investment.
- Requires clear termination clauses in future agreements, increasing transparency and accountability.
- Prevents politically motivated or arbitrary termination of research grants.
Potential Disadvantages
- May limit the NIH's flexibility to redirect funds to emerging priorities or more promising research areas.
- Could potentially lock the NIH into funding agreements that are no longer strategically aligned with public health needs.
- The inclusion of termination clauses, while increasing transparency, could still lead to disputes and legal challenges.
- May reduce the NIH's ability to terminate agreements with poorly performing grantees, potentially wasting taxpayer money.
- Could create a sense of entitlement among grantees, reducing the incentive for high-quality research.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). Congress has the power to allocate funds for the general welfare, and this bill specifies how those funds should be managed in the context of NIH research grants. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).