By Daniel Wiessner
(Reuters) -A group of U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to block the administration of President Donald Trump from making massive cuts to federal funding for scientific research and projects focused on increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
The attorneys general of 16 states, including New York, California, Illinois, and New Jersey, say the Trump administration lacks the power to cap research funding and eliminate diversity programs provided by the National Science Foundation that were mandated by Congress.
The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court.
Earlier this month, 13 major U.S. universities sued over NSF’s decision to cap reimbursement for indirect research costs such as lab space and equipment at 15%, which mirrored funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Energy that judges have temporarily blocked.
Wednesday’s lawsuit also challenges the cap at NSF along with the elimination of programs designed to boost the participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities in STEM fields. The states say both efforts could cause the U.S. to lose its position as a global leader in STEM research.
“Institutions will not be able to maintain essential research infrastructure and will be forced to significantly scale back or halt research, abandon numerous projects, and lay off staff,” they said.
The NSF declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House has proposed slashing NSF’s $8.8 billion budget by more than 55%, and said it plans to restructure and drastically downsize the agency.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said people use technology made possible by NSF funding every time they go online, scan a barcode at a store, or get an MRI scan.
“This administration’s attacks on basic science and essential efforts to ensure diversity in STEM will weaken our economy and our national security,” James, a Democrat, said in a statement.
The states claim that the reimbursement cap would devastate scientific research at universities throughout the country.
James’ office said New York state universities received $104 million in NSF funding last year, which supported research into microelectronics, climate research and battery technology.
They claim the cap and the elimination of diversity programs violate a federal law barring “arbitrary and capricious” actions by agencies, and violate the constitutional separation of powers by encroaching on funding decisions made by Congress.
(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New YorkEditing by Bill Berkrot)
