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119-s-664119th CongressWALLET

NIH Reform Act

Sponsored By: Senator Paul, Rand [R-KY]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would split the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases into three separate institutes, creating focused centers for allergic, infectious, and immunologic diseases. It would also change leadership rules so each new institute would have a Senate-confirmed director with defined five-year terms, while NIH would oversee operations during a transition period.

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  • Researchers and disease programs would see clearer institutional focus. The new National Institute of Infectious Diseases would explicitly cover tropical diseases, while the National Institute of Allergic Diseases would exclude them, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases would handle immune-related disorders.
  • Leadership and governance would change. The President would name directors for each of the three institutes subject to Senate advice and consent, each serving five-year terms with the possibility of one additional five-year term.
  • Legal and administrative references would be updated across law and guidance. Any existing mention of the former combined institute or its director would be read as referring to the appropriate new institute, and NIH must carry out an orderly transfer of authorities and responsibilities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Update federal references to old institute

If enacted, the bill would update laws, regulations, and documents so references to the old National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases point to the correct new institute. It would, for example, replace that institute name in several sections of the Public Health Service Act. It would also treat any legal reference to the old institute or its Director as a reference to the applicable new institute and its Director.

New institute directors and oversight

If enacted, this bill would end the Director position for the old combined institute on the date of enactment. Until new directors are confirmed, the NIH Director would oversee the three new institutes. The bill would require the President to nominate each new institute Director with Senate advice and consent. Each Director would serve a five-year term and may be reappointed for one additional five-year term.

Split NIAID into three institutes

If enacted, this bill would create three separate NIH institutes: Infectious Diseases, Immunologic Diseases, and Allergic Diseases. The Infectious Diseases institute would cover infectious and tropical diseases. The Allergic Diseases institute would be limited to allergic diseases and disorders and would no longer list infectious or tropical diseases. The NIH Director would manage an orderly transfer of authorities from the old combined institute to the new institutes.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Paul, Rand [R-KY]

KY • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 2/20/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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