Congress Saves the Day for Science Funding

A Bipartisan Effort to Support Science

Congress is pushing back against President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to science funding.

The Proposed Cuts

• Trump's Plan: Slash federal science spending by 22% – the biggest cut since World War II.
• Congress' Response: Mostly reverses the cuts with a planned allocation of $188 billion for federal research.

Key Highlights

• Basic Research: Might see a small increase despite Trump's proposal to cut it by over a third.
• National Science Foundation: Congress is pushing back against Trump's plans to gut this crucial agency.
• Bipartisan Cooperation: A stark contrast to the government shutdown last fall, showing a united front for science.

The Impact

• Agencies Funded: NASA, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Local Impact: Helps scientists in New York City affected by the closure of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

The Process

• House Approval: The House has already approved the Senate package.
• Final Budget: Congress is working to pass spending bills before temporary measures expire at the end of January.

The Future

• Long-Term Effects: The damage caused by Trump's cuts and chaos might take years to fix.
• Advocates' Relief: Science advocates are relieved that Congress is supporting science again.