US HB7173

Prohibits political employees from being employed by NIH or participating in NIH program management, with exceptions only for the NIH Director, National Cancer Institute Director, and ARPA-H Director

Bars political employees from participating in the solicitation, review, scoring, selection, or awarding of NIH grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other funding arrangements

Defines "political employee" broadly to include Executive Schedule positions, noncareer Senior Executive Service appointees, Schedule C employees, Schedule G employees, and anyone acting on their behalf

Requires NIH Director to submit a report to Congress within 30 days accounting for political employee participation in funding activities from January 20, 2021, through the bill's enactment

Prohibits cancellation, delay, or suspension of NIH grants and contracts unless the Secretary issues written findings of financial mismanagement, research fraud, debarment, or malfeasance, and notifies Congress within 30 days