The cuts include researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff and senior leaders, leaving the federal government without many of the key experts who have long guided U.S. decisions on medical research, drug approvals and other issues.

By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press

Bhattacharya, a health economist at Stanford University who was an outspoken critic of government COVID-19 shutdowns and vaccine policies, faced questions from senators from both parties Wednesday about drastic funding cuts and research priorities at the National Institutes of Health.

By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press