Science advocates press Democrats to restore research funding
Advocates for scientific research say they intend to press the incoming Democratic-led Congress to restore federal grants cut by the Trump administration. The midterm elections also sent several scientists and physicians to Congress, most of them Democrats, who say they want to use their expertise to oppose administration policies affecting science and public health.
Scott Delaney, a former Harvard epidemiologist who leads Grant Witness, said more than 200 Massachusetts grants worth over $500 million had not been restored. He said grant losses have disrupted university research and limited biotech companies’ access to basic science. Delaney also said the administration has reduced new grant awards and cut support for topics it opposes, including diversity-related research.
Some grant terminations were reversed after a federal judge ordered funding restored. Delaney said Congress should also address the administration’s refusal to spend research money appropriated by lawmakers. He wants lawmakers to revive efforts to impeach Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of unlawful policy changes, curtailing public engagement and damaging agencies through layoffs.
Colette Delawalla, founder of Stand Up for Science, said her organization plans to hold elected officials accountable for supporting research and restoring the civil service. She urged Democrats to keep sending science-related legislation to President Donald Trump even if he vetoes it, arguing that each veto would draw public attention.
Among the incoming lawmakers are Daniel Biss, a mathematician from Illinois, and Georgia’s Jasmine Clark, who is set to become Congress’ only microbiologist. Shaughnessy Naughton, who leads the group 314 Action, described the scientists’ election as a rejection of the past two years of science and public-health policy.
Voters send science advocates to confront Trump’s research cuts
The midterm results have given science advocates a chance to push back against Trump administration cuts, and they say Democrats should use their new congressional power to demand restored funding. Several scientists and physicians, most of them Democrats, won seats and plan to challenge policies they view as harmful to research and public health.
Scott Delaney, a former Harvard epidemiologist, said more than 200 Massachusetts grants worth over $500 million remain unrestored. He said cuts have forced researchers to change jobs or leave the field, while biotech firms have lost access to basic research. He also said the administration has reduced new grants and eliminated support for disfavored subjects, including diversity-related research.
Delaney wants Congress to press the administration to spend research funds lawmakers already appropriated. He also expects lawmakers to renew efforts to impeach Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom he accuses of unlawful policy changes, curtailed public engagement and agency damage through layoffs.
Colette Delawalla, founder of Stand Up for Science, says Democrats should set ambitious goals and keep sending science-supporting bills to President Donald Trump, even if he vetoes them. The incoming class includes Illinois mathematician Daniel Biss and Georgia microbiologist Jasmine Clark. Their election gives advocates a stronger platform to demand that the administration answer for its research cuts.
Science lobbyists seize midterm results to demand federal spending
Science advocacy groups are treating the midterm results as a mandate to escalate their campaign for federal research funding, including renewed impeachment efforts against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Their push puts political demands alongside the call to restore grants, even as the administration retains broad authority over grant decisions.
Scott Delaney, who runs Grant Witness after losing his Harvard research grant, said more than 200 Massachusetts grants worth over $500 million were never restored. He also said the administration has cut new awards and ended funding for topics it disfavors. Some terminated grants were restored after a federal judge ordered funding to resume.
Delaney wants Democrats to challenge the administration’s handling of research money Congress appropriated and restart impeachment efforts against Kennedy, accusing him of unlawful policy changes and agency damage. Those are the advocates’ arguments as they urge a Congress that has just changed hands to use its authority against the administration.
Colette Delawalla, founder of Stand Up for Science, says Democrats should send science-related bills to President Donald Trump even if he vetoes them, keeping each rejection in public view. Several scientists and physicians won congressional seats, including Daniel Biss of Illinois and Georgia’s Jasmine Clark. Advocacy groups say they intend to hold the new lawmakers accountable for delivering the policies they promised.
