16 states file a lawsuit against Trump for proposed budget reductions amounting to $1.4 billion in scientific funding
Sixteen US states, among them California and Illinois, filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, petitioning a court to halt funding cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) that they contend imperil the nation's status as a global leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The legal action asserts that the cuts, which have already led to the cancellation of more than 1,700 research grants worth $1.4 billion, violate federal law and will cause immediate and irreparable harm to the involved states.
The lawsuit case, lodged in the US District Court in Manhattan, centers on the NSF's recent decisions, such as the termination of projects geared towards enhancing the participation of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM fields, and the proposed 15% cap on indirect research costs, like lab space and equipment.
The states argue that the cuts conflict with the policies and priorities set by Congress and are a departure from the federal government's efforts to broaden participation in STEM since the 1980s, according to court documents.
Notably, New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the legal challenge, stated that the cuts would weaken the economy and national security while prioritizing politics over science.
The NSF, whose budget was proposed to be slashed by 55.8% in the Trump administration's draft budget, has faced scrutiny for its attempts to realign its policies with those of the Trump administration, including a recent update to its statement of priorities to exclude funding for activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In the wake of the policy changes, NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan resigned just days after award terminations commenced. The lawsuit has been joined by the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington.
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- The legal challenge led by New York Attorney General Letitia James against funding cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) argues that these cuts conflict with the policies and priorities set by Congress.
- The lawsuit asserts that the proposed 15% cap on indirect research costs, such as lab space and equipment, violate federal law and will cause immediate and irreparable harm to the involved states.
- In addition to the impact on science and technology, the states claim that the cuts would weaken the economy and national security, prioritizing politics over science.
- The case in the US District Court in Manhattan also focuses on the NSF's decisions, including the termination of projects aimed at enhancing the participation of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM fields.
