US lawmakers vote to cut science spending—but reject Trump’s sweeping reductions

Members of the US House of Representatives are poised to reject President Trump’s proposal to significantly cut science funding, although a House subcommittee has still recommended substantial reductions in science education and agency budgets like the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Trump administration had previously suggested drastic cuts for 2026, which Congress did not approve, maintaining stable science funding instead. In April, the administration proposed further cuts for 2027, including a 55% reduction for the NSF. The House subcommittee voted to cut NSF funding by 20% and NOAA’s by 5%, while keeping NASA’s budget stable. The Senate will draft its own spending bill, and both chambers will reconcile their differences before sending the final bill to the President. Last year, the Senate’s proposed cuts were smaller than the House’s, and the final budget reflected the Senate’s numbers more closely. QUESTION: How might these proposed cuts to science funding impact future technological advancements and scientific discoveries?