White House Proposal to Merge National Endowment for the Arts Sparks Strong Backlash Among Advocates and Legislators

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September 22, 2025

NIH Restructuring Proposal Faces Opposition in Congress

Washington D.C. – A White House initiative to restructure the national institutes of Health (NIH) has encountered early setbacks as lawmakers express concerns over a proposed consolidation of research institutes. The plan, revealed earlier this year, aimed to streamline the NIH by merging several existing institutes into eight larger entities.

Proposal Details and Congressional response

The proposal specifically targeted the National Eye Institute (NEI), planning to incorporate it into a new national Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research. This new institute woudl have combined the NEI with the National Institute of dental and Craniofacial research and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Though, both the House and Senate appropriations committees have rejected this aspect of the plan as of September 9th, raising questions about the future of the restructuring. The government is currently operating under a continuing resolution, with a budget deadline of september 30th looming.

vision Research Community Mobilizes

The proposed changes sparked immediate backlash from organizations dedicated to vision research.These groups swiftly launched a coordinated campaign, utilizing the hashtag #SeeWhatMatters, to advocate for the NEI’s continued independence. The campaign highlighted the significant advancements in eye care achieved through the NEI’s focused research efforts. According to campaign organizers, hundreds of letters have been sent to congressional representatives, and the message has gained substantial traction on social media platforms.

Infographic illustrating the advancements in vision research supported by the National Eye Institute.

Industry Leaders Voice Concerns

Prominent figures in the ophthalmology field voiced strong opposition to the proposed merger.Stephen D. McLeod, CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, emphasized that the breakthroughs in areas like optical coherence tomography and gene therapy were directly fueled by NEI research. He expressed fears that consolidating the institute would jeopardize it’s ability to drive future innovation and maintain crucial training programs.

Iris Rush,executive director of the Association for Research in Vision and ophthalmology,warned that combining the NEI with other institutes could dilute its focus and impede progress in finding treatments for blinding conditions. Paul Sternberg Jr., CEO of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, described the campaign against consolidation as a critical fight for the survival of academic ophthalmology and sight-saving research.

The White House Justification

The White House defended the restructuring proposal as a means of improving efficiency and streamlining federal funding. A budget brief stated that the reorganization would allow the NIH to focus on core scientific priorities and eliminate redundancies within the current institute structure. Similar proposals for NIH reform were previously discussed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in 2024, citing the costs and complexities of managing numerous individual institutes.

Looking Ahead

Despite the initial setbacks,the fate of the NIH restructuring remains uncertain. The “Protecting NEI Independence Coalition”, comprising key vision research organizations, intends to continue its advocacy efforts. The coalition believes that sustained funding for vision research is essential to combat vision loss and ultimately find cures for debilitating eye diseases.

Understanding the NIH and its Institutes

The National Institutes of Health is the primary federal agency responsible for conducting and supporting medical research. It comprises 27 individual institutes and centers, each focusing on specific diseases or areas of research. The National Eye Institute is dedicated exclusively to research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of visual disorders.

Did You Know? According to the National Eye Institute, approximately 30 million Americans suffer from vision loss, and this number is expected to increase as the population ages.

The Importance of Specialized Research Institutes

Specialized research institutes, like the NEI, allow for a focused approach to tackling complex health challenges. By concentrating resources and expertise on a specific area, these institutes can accelerate revelation and innovation.consolidating institutes can perhaps lead to a diffusion of focus and slower progress.

The Federal Budget Process

The federal budget process begins with the President’s budget proposal, followed by review and modification by Congress. Appropriations committees in the House and Senate determine funding levels for each federal agency. The final budget must be approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President.

Frequently Asked Questions about the NIH Restructuring

• What is the National Eye Institute? The NEI is a federal agency dedicated to vision research and the prevention of blindness.
• Why is there opposition to merging the NEI? critics fear that merging the NEI will dilute its focus and hinder advancements in vision research.
• What is the #SeeWhatMatters campaign? It is indeed a campaign led by vision research organizations to advocate for the NEI’s independence.
• What is the government’s current budget deadline? The deadline is September 30th, after which a government shutdown may occur.
• What are the potential consequences of a shutdown? A shutdown could delay research projects and disrupt government services.
• What is the role of the appropriations committees? These committees are responsible for determining funding levels for federal agencies.
• What’s the latest status of the restructuring proposal? as of September 9th, the proposal has been rejected by both House and Senate appropriations committees.

What are your thoughts on the importance of maintaining specialized research institutes like the NEI? Share your comments below!

Do you believe the proposed NIH restructuring is a necessary step towards greater efficiency, or will it ultimately hinder scientific progress?