WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — United States Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin had a discussion with President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, on February 26 to address urgent issues regarding suggested research budgets cuts and deep workforce reductions at the agency.

The session comes before Bhattacharya’s confirmation hearing on March 5 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

In their conversation, Durbin, who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate NIH Caucus, was alarmed by the administration’s plan to limit NIH’s indirect cost reimbursements to 15%. This policy, which was earlier in February, seeks to curb federal expenditure by capping funds spent on facilities and administrative costs related to research grants. Opponents say that this cap will have a drastic effect on the operational abilities of research institutions across the country.

Moreover, Durbin also touched on the recent layoff of about 1,200 NIH staff, which has raised the specter of slowing medical research progress. Such reductions in manpower are all within larger efforts led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline government agencies by targeting perceived inefficiencies.

“All of the progress that we have achieved at NIH and all of the progress that we aim to make is at risk because of Donald Trump and Elon Musk,” Durbin said. “They are conducting an unprecedented and devastating assault on reducing research funding for cancers, ALS, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and infectious diseases. At today’s meeting, I asked Bhattacharya if he would undo the harm already done at NIH and if he would stand up to the President and Musk—lives hang in the balance.”

In a bid to protect NIH’s mission, Durbin requested unanimous consent to approve a resolution reaffirming the agency’s vital role in medical advancement. The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, both Maryland Democrats, was opposed by Senator John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican.

Durbin has been a longstanding advocate for medical research, championing legislation such as the American Cures Act, which aims to ensure consistent funding increases for major research institutions. Over the past decade, his efforts have contributed to a 60% increase in NIH funding.

The suggested funding limits and staff cuts have been met with legal action. A federal judge recently issued a temporary restraining order preventing the NIH from implementing the 15% limit on indirect costs on new and continuing grants in 23 states due to potential immediate harm to research institutions.