DOGE’s push to cancel a $13.3 million taxpayer-funded grant to Peking University in China follows findings from the Department of Government Efficiency that U.S. funds had supported the program for over a decade without comprehensive review.
Story Highlights
- NIH funneled $13.3 million in taxpayer funds to Peking University for Chinese retirement research from 2010-2025
- DOGE pressure and Congressional oversight finally ended the wasteful grant, saving $1.7 million in remaining funds
- Obama-era program continued unchecked through multiple administrations until Trump’s efficiency watchdogs intervened
- Representatives Sessions and Barr led the charge against funding Communist China’s research while Americans struggle with fiscal mismanagement
Obama-Era Program Sends Millions to Communist China
The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study received its first NIH grant in 2010 under the Obama administration, launching what would become a 15-year taxpayer-funded windfall for Peking University. Annual funding ranged from $420,000 to $2 million per year, with the university collecting data on approximately 17,500 Chinese individuals across 10,000 households. According to a 2024 report by the Congressional Research Service, long-term grant programs like this can operate with limited congressional review unless specifically re-evaluated by funding agencies.
DOGE Exposes Government Waste and National Security Concerns
The Department of Government Efficiency identified this grant as a prime example of fiscal irresponsibility and potential national security risk. A Department of Government Efficiency review in early 2025 concluded that the grant subsidized research conducted at a Chinese state-affiliated university, with limited direct benefit to U.S. institutions. The watchdog agency’s scrutiny prompted immediate action from Congressional leaders who recognized the absurdity of funding our strategic competitor while domestic priorities suffered from inadequate resources.
Congressional Patriots Take Action Against Wasteful Spending
Representative Pete Sessions, Chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations and co-chair of the House DOGE Caucus, joined forces with Representative Andy Barr to challenge this misguided funding. Both lawmakers issued strong statements criticizing the continued flow of taxpayer dollars to Chinese institutions amid rising geopolitical tensions. Their leadership demonstrates how effective oversight can protect American interests when principled conservatives demand accountability from federal agencies.
Thanks to @DOGE, the U.S. no longer pays China for retirement research.https://t.co/QHmppNLJPi
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) August 13, 2025
Trump Administration Ends Decades of Fiscal Mismanagement
NIH officials said the decision aligns with the Department of Government Efficiency’s recommendations for reducing foreign grant expenditures. This decisive action sets a crucial precedent for ending similar programs that prioritize international collaboration over domestic needs and taxpayer protection. The cancellation signals a broader shift toward scrutinizing all federal spending that benefits foreign institutions, particularly those in adversarial nations like Communist China.
Sources:
China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study – Wikipedia
CHARLS Official Website – Peking University
CHARLS Study Registry – Maelstrom Research
