SHOCKING NIH Plans Mirror Wuhan Disaster

Republican lawmakers are demanding the Trump administration halt funding for a controversial $7.99 million NIH-backed bat breeding facility at Colorado State University, warning it could import “the risks of the Wuhan virus lab to the U.S.”

Story Highlights

GOP lawmakers urge Trump to cancel remaining NIH funding for CSU’s bat research facility
$7.99 million facility designed to breed bats for studying deadly viruses including Ebola and SARS-CoV-2
Critics draw parallels to Wuhan lab, questioning biosafety protocols after COVID-19 pandemic
CSU denies plans for gain-of-function research but facility targets dangerous pathogens
Health and Human Services refuses to answer questions about funding decisions

Trump Administration Faces Pressure to Cancel Controversial Facility

Republican lawmakers formally requested the Trump administration cancel taxpayer support for Colorado State University’s bat research facility in January 2026. The facility, funded through a National Institutes of Health grant worth up to $7.99 million, aims to breed pathogen-free bats for distribution to researchers nationwide. Critics characterize the project as importing dangerous laboratory practices reminiscent of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, raising serious questions about whether America learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic’s origins.

Dangerous Pathogen Research Despite Lower Safety Standards

The facility plans to conduct research involving deadly viruses including Nipah virus, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and Marburg at biosafety level 2—a concerning mismatch given that Ebola and Marburg require the highest biosafety level 4 protocols. This represents a troubling approach to dangerous pathogen research that undermines basic safety principles. CSU claims it will not conduct gain-of-function research, yet the facility’s focus on breeding bats specifically for infectious disease studies raises legitimate concerns about potential risks to public safety.

The university has operated bat research programs for over 15 years, positioning itself as the primary source for research bats in America. However, critics argue that past safety records do not justify expanding operations to include more dangerous pathogens without corresponding safety upgrades.

Biden Administration’s Reckless Spending Legacy

The NIH awarded this grant during the Biden administration in 2021, representing yet another example of wasteful government spending on questionable priorities. While American families struggled with inflation and economic hardship, federal bureaucrats were funneling millions into controversial research projects that echo the very laboratory conditions suspected in COVID-19’s origins. The facility construction timeline spans multiple years, with completion originally targeted for 2025, demonstrating the long-term commitment to this problematic initiative.

Health and Human Services officials declined to answer basic questions about the funding decision, with press secretary Emily Hilliard stating the department would respond only directly to lawmakers—a troubling lack of transparency that should concern every taxpayer.

Constitutional Concerns Over Federal Overreach

This controversy highlights broader issues of federal government overreach into areas where states and private institutions should maintain primary authority. The NIH’s willingness to fund potentially dangerous research without adequate public oversight represents exactly the kind of unaccountable bureaucratic decision-making that undermines representative government. Americans deserve transparency about how their tax dollars support research that could impact public health and safety, especially given the devastating consequences of the last pandemic.

The Trump administration now has an opportunity to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and prioritize American safety by canceling remaining funding for this misguided project. Such decisive action would signal a return to common-sense governance that puts American interests first.