E&C Republicans Signal Intent to Issue Subpoenas to Obtain Information on NIH's Handling of Sexual Harassment if Questions Go Unanswered

Letter

"You wrote that "[w]herever NIH research activities take place, our priority will always be to do what we can to eliminate harassment and ensure that the integrity of scientific endeavor is never compromised by the fundamental injustice of workplace harassment.' Unfortunately, your stated aspirations have not been reflected in the National Institutes of Health's responses to our inquiry on NIH's handling of sexual harassment complaints."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"According to the Office of Director Congressional Justification Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, "NIH has long prioritized supporting a safe and respectful workplace, free from harassment and discrimination, wherever NIH-funded research is conducted.' In support of this goal, NIH's efforts at ending harassment in all its forms focused on three primary areas, including 'demonstrating accountability and transparency.' Ironically, NIH's inadequate handling and dilatory tactics in response to our investigation seems to demonstrate a lack of accountability and transparency about its actions to end harassment "wherever NIH-funded research is conducted.' […] A recent case where it was alleged that NIH failed to stop "pass the harasser' also suggests that NIH is not meeting its goal on a priority issue."

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