This bill, titled the Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas (CARGO) Act of 2025, amends the Public Health Service Act to restrict National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for animal research. It specifically prohibits NIH from awarding any support, such as grants or contracts, for activities or programs that involve the use of live animals in research unless that research is conducted entirely within the United States , including its states, territories, and possessions. The legislation is based on findings that NIH provided approximately $2.2 billion to foreign organizations for animal research between fiscal years 2011 and 2021. Concerns are raised regarding the lack of NIH inspections of these foreign entities, which currently self-report animal welfare information, potentially leading to misrepresentation and the mistreatment of animals. By limiting funding to domestic research, the bill aims to enhance oversight and ensure the ethical treatment of animals in NIH-supported studies.
This bill, titled the Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas (CARGO) Act of 2025, amends the Public Health Service Act to restrict National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for animal research. It specifically prohibits NIH from awarding any support, such as grants or contracts, for activities or programs that involve the use of live animals in research unless that research is conducted entirely within the United States , including its states, territories, and possessions. The legislation is based on findings that NIH provided approximately $2.2 billion to foreign organizations for animal research between fiscal years 2011 and 2021. Concerns are raised regarding the lack of NIH inspections of these foreign entities, which currently self-report animal welfare information, potentially leading to misrepresentation and the mistreatment of animals. By limiting funding to domestic research, the bill aims to enhance oversight and ensure the ethical treatment of animals in NIH-supported studies.