{"id":2168647,"date":"2024-02-05T19:39:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T00:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-subpoenas-nih-in-agency-sexual-harassment-investigation\/"},"modified":"2024-02-05T19:43:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T00:43:54","slug":"house-subpoenas-nih-in-agency-sexual-harassment-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-subpoenas-nih-in-agency-sexual-harassment-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"House subpoenas NIH in sexual harassment probe"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhouse-subpoenas-nih-in-agency-sexual-harassment-investigation%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2168647&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>House Energy and \u2064Commerce Committee Chairwoman Subpoenas NIH Over Sexual Harassment \u2062Complaints<\/h2>\n<p>Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce \u2064Committee, has\u2063 taken action by subpoenaing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in\u200b response\u200c to their\u2063 noncompliance with the committee&#8217;s \u200binvestigation into\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-assembly-suspends-cuomo-impeachment-investigation\/\" title=\"New York Assembly Suspends Cuomo Impeachment Investigation\">sexual harassment complaints<\/a> at the\u2064 agency.<\/p>\n<p>The subpoena, obtained by the\u2063 Washington Examiner, was issued after the NIH failed to cooperate with the committee&#8217;s \u200drequests for information and documents\u200c related to sexual harassment in the workplace. In a letter sent to NIH Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, Rodgers\u2063 expressed her\u200d disappointment in the agency&#8217;s\u2062 lack \u200bof good faith and unwillingness to engage voluntarily with the committee.<\/p>\n<h3>Investigation into Sexual Harassment at NIH \u200dand Grant-Receiving Institutions<\/h3>\n<p>The committee&#8217;s investigation, led by \u2064Rep. Morgan \u200dGriffith (R-VA) \u200bas the chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee,\u2062 aims to\u2062 address sexual harassment issues at\u2063 the NIH \u200bas well \u200cas at \u200binstitutions that receive grants from the agency.<\/p>\n<p>Although the yearslong inquiry has already uncovered at least 300 cases, the NIH has refused to provide the requested documents related to\u200d the investigation. This refusal prompted the \u200bcommittee to exercise its\u2064 subpoena\u200c power, which became available when\u2063 the Republican\u2064 party gained control of the House in \u200bthe 118th Congress.<\/p>\n<h3>Concerns Raised and Questions\u200c Asked<\/h3>\n<p>In August\u2062 2022, the committee sent a letter to the NIH\u200d raising concerns about \u2064its responses \u200dto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-audio-think-tanks-star-lawsuit-witness-admits-to-tommy-robinson-that-they-bribed-him-for-testimony-against-us-congressional-staffer\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE AUDIO: Think Tank\u2019s Star Lawsuit Witness Admits to Tommy Robinson That They Bribed Him For Testimony Against US Congressional Staffer\">sexual harassment claims<\/a> and whether its policies align \u2063with Title IX protections at research institutions that receive grant funding from the agency.<\/p>\n<p>The letter referenced surveys conducted \u200cby the Association of American\u200d Universities, which revealed alarming rates of sexual assault at \u200cinstitutions of higher education, including Yale University.\u2062 The committee highlighted the fact\u2062 that Yale, a\u200b major recipient of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-must-stop-the-executive-branchs-heinous-attempts-to-censor-americans\/\" title=\"Congress must halt the Executive Branch's censoring of Americans.\">federal\u2064 grant money<\/a> from the \u2063NIH, had\u2064 one of the highest \u2062rates of female sexual assault in the\u2063 country.<\/p>\n<p>Committee Republicans posed\u200d 30 questions to the \u200cNIH, seeking information about its procedural response to allegations of sexual harassment, retaliation, the breakdown\u200b of received allegations,\u200d and its handling\u2064 of issues\u200d such as the exchange of researchers accused of misconduct.<\/p>\n<p>After receiving \u2064no\u2063 response, the committee followed up with another request for answers\u200d in March 2023.<\/p>\n<h3>Importance of \u200bAddressing\u200c Sexual\u200d Harassment<\/h3>\n<p>The\u2064 committee \u200cemphasized the importance of addressing sexual harassment, stating\u200d that \u200cit is degrading, \u2063illegal, and negatively impacts women&#8217;s ability to engage in research\u2063 at\u2062 the same level as men. They reminded the NIH that Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other forms of sex discrimination in education \u2062programs that receive \u2062federal funding, and \u200cfederal agencies are responsible for\u200c enforcing this\u2063 law at the \u200duniversities they \u2062fund. As \u200bthe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/esophageal-cancer-one-of-least-studied-common-cancers-5-ways-to-prevent\/\" title=\"Esophageal Cancer: One of Least Studied Common Cancers, 5 Ways to Prevent\">largest public funder<\/a> of\u200c biomedical research, the NIH has a \u2062unique opportunity to transform the culture of science and prevent sexual\u2064 harassment.<\/p>\n<p>The Washington Examiner has reached out to the NIH \u2064for comment.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How\u2063 does the committee&#8217;s subpoena of the NIH demonstrate their commitment to addressing\u200d and eradicating sexual harassment \u2062in the workplace?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Hairwoman to issue a subpoena, \u2063forcing the agency \u200dto comply with the committee&#8217;s investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Sexual harassment\u200d in the workplace \u200cis a serious issue that must be addressed and eradicated. It not only creates \u2064an uncomfortable and hostile working environment for\u2062 victims but also \u200chinders\u200b their professional \u200cgrowth and success. The \u2063House Energy and Commerce \u200cCommittee\u2062 recognizes \u2064the importance of tackling this problem, especially within an influential institution like the NIH.<\/p>\n<p>The committee&#8217;s investigation is not limited to\u200b the NIH alone \u200dbut also extends to institutions that\u2064 receive \u200cgrants from the agency. This comprehensive approach\u2062 ensures that all parties involved in \u200bthe research and healthcare sector are \u200bheld accountable for\u200d creating\u2064 safe and inclusive work environments. It is essential to promote a culture that respects and values the \u2064contributions of every individual, regardless of their\u2062 gender.<\/p>\n<p>The NIH&#8217;s\u200b lack of cooperation with the committee&#8217;s requests for information and documents is deeply concerning. Transparency \u200band accountability are crucial for any organization, particularly when dealing with such \u200cserious allegations. \u2062By refusing to provide the requested documents, the NIH\u200c undermines the \u200dcommittee&#8217;s \u2062effort \u2064to investigate and \u200caddress these harassment complaints effectively.<\/p>\n<p>In her\u2063 letter to NIH \u2064Director \u2064Monica \u2062M. Bertagnolli, \u2062Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers expressed her disappointment in the\u2063 agency&#8217;s \u200black \u200cof good faith and unwillingness to engage voluntarily \u200cwith \u2063the committee. The subpoena\u200c serves as \u200da stern reminder\u200c that cooperation is not optional but\u2062 mandatory when it comes to \u2064investigating \u2064sexual harassment \u200ccomplaints. Any attempts to\u200d hinder or\u2064 impede the \u200cprogress of this investigation will \u2062not\u2063 be tolerated.<\/p>\n<p>This subpoena\u2062 is a clear message to the\u200b NIH and other institutions that the House Energy and Commerce \u200cCommittee is committed to rooting out sexual harassment and ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve. It highlights the importance of \u200dtransparency and accountability and reinforces the committee&#8217;s dedication to \u200bcreating\u200b safer work environments for everyone \u200bin the research and healthcare community.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minority-employees-slam-house-dem-plan-to-boost-diversity-at-state-department\/\" title=\"Minority Employees Slam House Dem Plan To Boost Diversity at State Department\">long-term impact<\/a> \u200cof\u200d this investigation will go beyond the NIH and grant-receiving institutions. \u2064It will set \u2064a precedent and serve as a catalyst\u2063 for \u2064change\u2062 in addressing\u200c and preventing sexual harassment in \u200call sectors. By\u200b shedding light on the prevalence\u2063 of such misconduct and holding those responsible accountable, this investigation \u200bwill pave\u200d the\u200b way for a\u200b more inclusive\u200b and\u2063 respectful\u2062 society.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the \u2064House Energy and \u200dCommerce Committee&#8217;s subpoena\u2062 of the NIH demands \u2063transparency and \u200ccooperation \u2064regarding sexual harassment \u200ccomplaints. It \u2064is \u2062a crucial step in the ongoing fight against\u200b workplace harassment, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ensuring \u2064that all individuals are able\u200b to work in an environment free from discrimination \u200dand mistreatment. \u200dThe committee&#8217;s commitment to this issue sends a powerful message that sexual harassment will not\u2062 be tolerated,\u2064 and those who engage in such\u2062 behavior\u200b will be held \u2063responsible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Energy and Commerce Committee chair, issued a subpoena to the National Institutes of Health regarding sexual harassment complaints. The agency&#8217;s noncompliance with the committee&#8217;s investigation and lack of response to harassment prompted this action, as stated in the letter obtained by the Washington Examiner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179,"featured_media":2168648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP090817021000-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2168647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AP090817021000-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2168647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2168647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2168647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2168648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2168647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2168647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2168647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}