USDA Cuts Rejected to Protect Feed Science

STORE IN THE BOOKSTORE PDF

Congress Pushes Back Against Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to Scientific Research

In a rare bipartisan move, Congress is signaling resistance to several of President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts to key federal science programs. The Republican-controlled Congress this week showed the first signs that it will resist at least some of Trump’s plans to slash science funding.

On 11 June, the House Appropriations Committee rejected proposed cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) research programs in its draft of the 2026 fiscal year budget. The administration had sought to reduce the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) budget by 5%—a $90 million cut and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) by 38%, dramatically slashing support for university-based research. Instead, the committee preserved funding—setting ARS at $1.8 billion and NIFA at $1.7 billion—and maintained full funding for the $445 million AFRI.

The committee also rejected plans to terminate or relocate several ARS programs, including the soybean gene bank at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a citrus collection in California, and a natural-pest research station in Delaware. Although USDA officials claimed these sites had run their course, researchers highlighted their excellent condition, with some facilities recently renovated and receiving facility condition scores of 96 out of 100.

The Senate has also pushed back. At a 10 June appropriations hearing, Senators from both parties criticized the proposed 40% cut (~$18 billion) to the NIH’s $47 billion budget. Senator Susan Collins (R–ME) called the proposal “disturbing,” warning it would undo years of congressional investment and significantly delay effective treatments and cures. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R–WV), head of the subcommittee, emphasized that biomedical research is a national priority.

At an 11 June hearing, lawmakers across the aisle expressed concern over a plan to reduce the U.S. Forest Service’s budget by 65%, including eliminating its $300 million research program. Senator Jeff Merkley (D–OR) emphasized the need to “invest in good science,” not dismantle it.

While Congress continues shaping the 2026 budget, a failure to reach a deal by 30 September could trigger a continuing resolution, freezing spending at current levels and potentially sidelining the proposed cuts—at least temporarily.

Still, science advocates caution that uncertainty has already inflicted damage. NIFA grant programs remain paused, and roughly 25% of its staff have resigned under voluntary departure offers. The ARS has lost over 15% of its workforce. Many researchers report low morale and concern over long-term program viability.

“Lots of people are looking to leave,” said Charles Rice, a soil scientist at Kansas State University. He added that visa concerns are also affecting graduate students, who may not be able to return to the U.S. after presenting at international conferences.

Source: Science Magazine.