introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from political interference and protect the integrity of America's biomedical research
Introduce legislation to shield the National Institutes of Health from political interference and protect the integrity of biomedical research.
Occurrences
Evidence
unverified · Source version 21280 · locator unknown
Congresswoman Diana DeGette introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes of Health from political interference and protect the integrity of biomedical research.
unverified · Source version 21281 · locator unknown
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 01/21/2026). Latest Action: House - 01/21/2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Tracker: This bill has the status Introduced.
unverified · Source version 65821 · locator unknown
GovInfo lists the bill as introduced by Ms. DeGette and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; last action date listed is January 21, 2026.
unverified · Source version 21283 · locator unknown
All Actions shows 01/21/2026 introduced in House and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; no additional actions are listed.
unverified · Source version 65815 · locator unknown
The newsroom lists 'DeGette Introduces Bill to Protect NIH From Political Interference' among the latest items dated January 21, 2026.
unverified · Source version 21280 · locator unknown
On January 21, 2026, Rep. Diana DeGette said she introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield NIH from political interference and protect biomedical research integrity.
unverified · Source version 21281 · locator unknown
The official bill record shows H.R. 7173, the Follow the Science Act, was introduced and referred on January 21, 2026.
unverified · Source version 30541 · locator unknown
Congress.gov lists H.R. 7173 as introduced by Rep. DeGette on 2026-01-21 and referred the same day to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; the bill remains at the introduced stage with only those two actions shown.
unverified · Source version 65821 · locator unknown
GovInfo's bill record says Ms. DeGette introduced H.R. 7173 on January 21, 2026 and it was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; the record identifies it as introduced in the House.
unverified · Source version 21280 · locator unknown
The official House press release dated January 21, 2026 says Rep. Diana DeGette introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield the National Institutes of Health from political interference and protect the integrity of biomedical research.
unverified · Source version 21280 · locator unknown
DeGette's official House office announced on January 21, 2026, that she introduced the Follow the Science Act to shield NIH from political interference and protect biomedical research integrity.
unverified · Source version 65822 · locator unknown
GovInfo's official introduced bill text identifies H.R. 7173 as introduced in the House on January 21, 2026, by Ms. DeGette and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
unverified · Source version 65822 · locator unknown
The bill states its purpose is to ensure scientific integrity in NIH activities and prevent funds from being diverted to politically driven activities; it is titled the Follow the Science Act.
unverified · Source version 65822 · locator unknown
H.R. 7173 would restrict political employees from participating in NIH activities and in NIH grant, contract, cooperative-agreement, and funding decisions.
unverified · Source version 30541 · locator unknown
Congress.gov's action record for H.R. 7173 lists introduction by Rep. Diana DeGette on January 21, 2026, and same-day referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
unverified · Source version 52812 · locator unknown
"delays a dangerous rule proposed by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that allows politics to influence federal grantmaking"
unverified · Source version 65814 · locator unknown
"substantially similar rule, shall not be issued or finalized"
unverified · Source version 65818 · locator unknown
"H.R. 6500/P.L. 119–103 Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027"
unverified · Source version 65820 · locator unknown
"Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (Introduced 01/21/2026)"
unverified · Source version 65821 · locator unknown
"introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce"
unverified · Source version 65822 · locator unknown
"ensure scientific integrity in the activities of the National Institutes of Health"
Assessments
The promise was specifically to introduce legislation, not to secure enactment. Official congressional and GovInfo records show Rep. Diana DeGette introduced H.R. 7173, the Follow the Science Act, on January 21, 2026, and the bill's substance matches shielding NIH from political interference and protecting biomedical research integrity. Because she personally introduced the matching bill during the relevant House term, the promise was fulfilled in the same term even though the bill had not advanced beyond referral.
The promise was to introduce legislation, not to enact it. Official records show Rep. Diana DeGette introduced the Follow the Science Act, H.R. 7173, on January 21, 2026, to shield the NIH from political interference and protect biomedical research integrity. Congress.gov and GovInfo both confirm the bill was introduced and referred to committee the same day, which satisfies the promised action during her current House term.
The promise was to introduce legislation protecting NIH from political interference. Official congressional records and DeGette's office show she introduced H.R. 7173, the Follow the Science Act, on January 21, 2026, during her current term. Because the promised action was introduction itself, not enactment, this counts as fulfilled in the same term even though the bill has not advanced beyond committee referral.
DeGette directly fulfilled the promise by introducing the Follow the Science Act on January 21, 2026, which was referred to committee the same day. The claim was to introduce legislation, not to enact it, so the introduction itself satisfies the promise.
The promise was specifically to introduce legislation shielding NIH from political interference and protecting biomedical research integrity. Official records show Rep. Diana DeGette did introduce the Follow the Science Act on January 21, 2026, and it was referred to committee the same day. Because the commitment was to introduce such legislation—not to enact it—the promise was fulfilled upon introduction during her current term.