16 states prosecute Trump over $ 1.4 billion in National Science Foundation Grants cuts
16 states, mostly controlled by Democrats, filed a case against the Trump administration on Wednesday, in which a federal court asked the National Science Foundation (NSF) to block major funding cuts and changes in the program. States argued that the tricks threatened the leadership of the United States in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).The case filed in the federal court in Manhattan, New York Attorney General Latitia James. He said, “This administration’s attacks on basic science and necessary efforts to ensure diversity in STEM will weaken our economy and our national security,” he said.According to the trial, NSF has begun to end the programs that support the participation of women, minorities and disabled people in STEM areas. It also challenges a new rule that limits indirect research costs, such as lab spaces and equipment, 15 percent of the total grant. The lawsuit claims that the action goes against the goals of the long -standing Congress, the New York Times said.The NSF has supported widespread participation in STEM since 1980 under direction to Congress. The Foundation recently changed its policy priorities, removing support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. A few days after the grant was canceled, NSF director Sethuraman Panhanathan announced his resignation.By Wednesday, more than 1,700 NSF research grants were canceled, in total about $ 1.4 billion was cut. An example in the trial says that the State University of New York may result in loss of $ 18 million.NSF had a budget of $ 9 billion for the financial year 2024, but the draft budget of the Trump administration proposed a 55.8 percent cut.In addition to New York, other states involved in the trial include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Road Island, Washington and Visconne.
