HHS Secretary Kennedy fires 5,000 NIH scientists while Congress protects funding

RFK Jr. oversees $2.7 billion in NIH grant terminations—higher than initial estimates

20,000 HHS employees affected: 10,000 buyouts plus 10,000 layoffs (nearly 25% of staff)

1,200 NIH employees laid off, affecting vaccine regulation and drug approval

694 grants totaling $1.81 billion canceled

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases lost $505 million in grants

$500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts terminated

160 clinical trials cut, 38% related to HIV research

Kennedy claims "we're not cutting science" while slashing billions in research funding