In a dramatic turnaround, the Trump administration has lifted its recent halt on National Institutes of Health (NIH) spending following intense pressure from both sides of Congress. The abrupt freeze had sparked widespread concern among lawmakers, who voiced fears over the potential impact on public health and biomedical research.

The controversy began when budget officials at NIH revealed on Tuesday that they were instructed by the White House to stop disbursing funds earmarked for research and training programs. This decision immediately triggered alarms on Capitol Hill, leading to a rapid series of events culminating in the release of all previously frozen NIH funds.

This development came after a vehement response from Congress, where legislators warned that the funding stoppage could jeopardize American healthcare advancements and the economic stability of states dependent on NIH investments. In a statement, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), leading Democratic appropriators, accused the administration of using false claims of waste at NIH to undermine critical medical research.

Adding to the pressure, a bipartisan group of 14 Republican senators had earlier sent a letter to White House budget director Russ Vought, urging the immediate release of the NIH funds that President Trump had signed into law in March. They highlighted the slow pace of funding distribution and cautioned that any prolonged suspension could disrupt ongoing research projects with potentially groundbreaking outcomes.

Over the weekend, in a televised interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Vought argued that the NIH required a "dramatic overhaul" and emphasized the need for meticulous budget scrutiny. However, the outcry from Congress appears to have spurred a swift reversal, with the Office of Management and Budget confirming that the temporary freeze was merely part of a "programmatic review."

The resolution has been met with relief across the scientific community and among public health advocates, who had been vocal about the risks posed by the funding halt. As funds begin to flow once more, there is hope that NIH can continue its vital role in leading the nation's biomedical and public health research without further political interference.

*Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report.*