mRNA COVID vaccines are credited with saving more than 3 million lives in the United States. Now, researchers are building on that same technology to develop vaccines for HIV, dengue, influenza, and even cancer. But that progress is under threat. NIH officials are reportedly urging scientists to scrub mRNA-related terms from their grant applications—fearing political backlash that could jeopardize their funding. Congress must act now to safeguard NIH funding and stop political interference in scientific research. Cutting off funding for mRNA and other cutting-edge research would delay, or outright halt, progress on treatments for pancreatic cancer, Lyme disease, and other deadly conditions. “Discoveries are going to be delayed, if they ever happen,” warned Dr. Kimryn Rathmell, former director of the National Cancer Institute. Congress has the power—and the responsibility—to ensure that public health research is based on science, not politics. Millions of lives depend on it. Add your name now to demand that Congress protect NIH funding and stop the political sabotage of lifesaving research.