Pentagon Agreement With N.I.H. on Biodefense Draws Alarm From Democrats NYT: Science By: Catie Edmondson and Carolyn Y. Johnson 4 September 2026 at 18:31 Under a new partnership, the Defense Department would play a larger role in biodefense and pandemic preparedness. Democrats warned it could allow a Pentagon cash grab. Β© Kenny Holston/The New York TimesThe agreement, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, is focused on chemical and biological defense research.