Politico reports:

The National Institutes of Health told employees Thursday it was rolling back directives from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to probe worker productivity and limit purchases and travel on company cards, according to messages obtained by POLITICO.

It’s a possible sign that the agency’s recently confirmed director, Jay Bhattacharya, is willing to break with Musk and DOGE.

“Please disregard any future reminders or instructions on this directive from OPM or the Department of Health and Human Services,” said one message, referencing the White House’s personnel office. “NIH manages its own performance review processes and will notify employees directly if any information related to work duties or performance is needed.”

Purchasing cards will “be restored to full capacity and use” later today, according to another message from NIH management. Staff will again be able to travel for business and won’t have to seek permission from HHS or the NIH director’s office, the message said.

In March, DOGE implemented a $1 spending limit on purchasing cards and a new purchase review and approval process across agencies to crack down on spending.

The NIH’s instructions are the latest to break from DOGE’s dictates. Earlier this week, the Social Security Administration reined in a Department of Government Efficiency initiative to eliminate phone service and direct recipients of retirement, Medicare or disability benefits to in-person or online sites, which the Musk-led DOGE argued would combat fraud. [Continue reading…]