Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced a new bill Tuesday aimed at reining in the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) funding of animal research in foreign laboratories.
The “Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas (CARGO) Act” seeks to prohibit the NIH from allocating taxpayer dollars to such projects, citing concerns over a lack of oversight, potential fraud, and animal welfare abuses. RELATED: Post “Beaglegate” Rep. Steube Introduces Legislation To Cut Funding For NIH Testing On Dogs
Senator Scott, joined by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) as a co-sponsor, highlighted that between 2011 and 2021, the NIH funneled an estimated $2.2 billion to foreign organizations for animal research. The senators argue that these overseas facilities operate without the same level of scrutiny and accountability as their American counterparts, leading to what they describe as “widespread fraud and abuse.”
“It is deeply concerning that American taxpayer dollars have been used to fund harmful and abusive animal experiments overseas that lack the same oversight and accountability as labs here in the United States,” Senator Scott stated. He emphasized that the CARGO Act would “put an end to this misuse of funds and ensure taxpayer-funded research isn’t contributing to the abuse of animals in labs abroad.”
The proposed legislation directly amends the Public Health Service Act, stipulating that the NIH Director cannot award any support for activities or programs using live animals in research unless the research occurs within the United States or its territories and possessions.
Senator Booker called the nearly $2.2 billion spent over a decade on foreign animal experiments a “waste of taxpayer dollars.” He advocated for redirecting these funds towards “development of the cutting-edge alternative nonanimal research models which the NIH is now prioritizing.”
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The CARGO Act’s findings section explicitly notes that the NIH does not conduct inspections of foreign organizations, relying instead on self-reported information regarding animal welfare. This, the bill asserts, creates a “risk that information will be misrepresented” and has “resulted in the mistreatment of animals.”
Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX) is leading the companion legislation in the House of Representatives, signaling a bipartisan, bicameral effort to address the issue. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for further consideration.
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