Michigan Representative Hailey Stevens, a Democrat, introduced a bill called the “BS Act to Stop RFK’s BS” on Friday.
If passed, this legislation would reinstate various grants and awards that have been cut, as outlined in documents shared with the Hill.
The bill also mandates that grant recipients receive payments from National Institutes of Health (NIH) staff within a month. Additionally, the duration of the reinstated grants would be extended by a year.
“Let me be clear: RFK Jr.’s reckless cuts cannot afford to derail the life-saving cancer research that families in Michigan and across the country rely on,” Stevens stated. “This is about saving lives, protecting jobs, and upholding science. Politics cannot undermine American leadership in medical research. My message to RFK is straightforward: stop cutting, stop causing chaos, and stop the BS.”
Stevens has consistently urged for Kennedy’s removal from his administration post and recently reiterated that he should resign after reducing funding for pediatric cancer and vaccine research.
Since the onset of Trump’s second term, hundreds of millions in NIH funding have either been slashed or canceled. Moreover, the Trump administration has suggested a 40% cut in NIH funding for the fiscal year 2026.
In August, the Supreme Court permitted the administration to withdraw $783 million from NIH funding tied to diversity, equity, and comprehensive initiatives. Earlier, in February, the NIH announced a limit on grants for indirect funds to 15%, funds that typically cover facility and management fees.
The Senate Approvals Committee turned down the administration’s request for NIH budget cuts in July.
This reduction has raised concerns among Republican lawmakers, including Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Katie Britt of Alabama, who utilize resources from NIH-funded agencies.
Stevens’s bill was introduced just a day after she stated her intention to present an article detailing the issues against Kennedy.
“He’s making Michigan unhealthy and unsafe. He needs to resign now. It’s time for a leader who fights for science and health. He shouldn’t undermine the progress families and researchers are striving for,” Stevens commented on Thursday.
