The Pentagon is reportedly seeking to redirect billions of dollars from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. government’s main agency for biomedical research, to support its own budget, according to Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. DeLauro revealed that Trump administration officials only recently informed Congress about an interagency agreement allowing the Defense Department access to funds originally intended for biomedical research. This agreement, she said, was not shared with Congress proactively and was only disclosed after House Democrats pressed NIH officials for more transparency. DeLauro called the agreement an "outrageous" attempt to siphon research money away from NIH and urged its immediate termination. She suggested the Pentagon is trying to compensate for financial shortfalls related to the war in Iran, noting that the department is currently seeking congressional approval for a $95 billion supplemental funding request, which would largely support that conflict. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services stated that the NIH and the Pentagon explored potential collaborations to develop medical technologies, such as treatments, diagnostic tools, and protective equipment, to combat infectious diseases and other health threats. The spokesperson emphasized that the partnership would allow multiple agencies to respond more effectively to public health emergencies, like the recent Ebola outbreak. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the agreement creates a framework that could allow the Pentagon to access billions in funding. However, the exact amount the Pentagon is seeking and how the money would be used remains unclear. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment. Patient advocacy groups have strongly criticized the potential arrangement. Erika Sward, executive director of United for Cures, stated that funding for NIH research—intended to save lives and improve public health—should not be treated as a flexible fund. She called on Congress to investigate the matter and ensure that money designated for lifesaving research is used as intended.