14
Apr
Trump Administration Threatens Science Essential to Health and Environmental Safety
(Beyond Pesticides, April 14, 2025) The Trump administration has undertaken an unprecedented attack on science in regulatory, research, and educational institutions, with predicted adverse consequences for all people across the country. The Union of Concerned Scientists last week published a list of organizations and their tracking of Trump’s dismantling of federal science programs, including health research and the impact by Congressional district. And, the Environmental Protection Network estimates that the announced rollbacks at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would erase $254 billion in health and economic benefits.
Perhaps it is understandable that those who oppose environmental and health regulations that put limits on industry would favor cuts to regulatory agencies. However, the impacts of the current cuts go far beyond deregulation.
>> Tell your U.S. Representative and Senators to reverse Trump Administration cuts to science.
The cuts to agencies affect science at every level. Science funding has been slashed at EPA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). And these cuts have implications for, among other things, clean air and water, protection from wildfires, cures for diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to childhood cancer, monitoring and protection from lead exposure and infectious disease, mine safety, weather safety, and the viability of farms.
The attack on science does not stop at federal agencies. It affects scientific research and education at every level. Cuts in medical research grants will reduce funding at hospitals and universities in every state. The cuts have “thrown the research world into chaos.” Admissions for PhD programs are being curtailed. Perhaps as many as 75% of scientists are considering leaving the U.S., leading to a fear of a “lost generation” of American scientists. Combined with cuts in education, cuts to scientific research also impact K-12 science education.
These cuts (and others) have provoked resistance throughout the country. Over 1900 elected members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued an open letter opposing the Trump administration’s war on science. A group of current and former EPA employees wrote an op-ed piece defending their work in environmental justice programs to protect the health of communities. Researchers, doctors, and their supporters rallied to “Stand Up for Science” in New York and other cities. A coalition of officials from 23 states sued the Trump administration over cuts to public health. On April 5, millions of people throughout the country attended more than 1,400 “Hands Off” rallies to protest the Trump administration’s deep budget and staffing cuts, funding freezes, tariffs, and President Trump’s “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda.”
Beyond Pesticides joins with the voices challenging the Trump Administration’s attack on science!!
>> Tell your U.S. Representative and Senators to reverse Trump Administration cuts to science.
Letters to Members of Congress
The Trump administration has undertaken an unprecedented attack on science in regulatory, research, and educational institutions, with predicted consequences for all of us.
Perhaps it is understandable that those who have opposed environmental and health regulation putting limits on industry would favor cuts to regulatory agencies. However, the impacts of the current administration’s cuts go far beyond deregulation.
The cuts to agencies affect science at every level. Science funding has been slashed at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). And these cuts have implications for, among other things, clean air and water, protection from wildfires, cures for diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to childhood cancer, monitoring and protection from lead exposure and infectious disease, mine safety, weather safety, and the viability of farms.
The attacks on science do not stop at federal agencies. They affect scientific research and education at every level. Cuts in medical research grants will reduce funding at hospitals and universities in every state. The cuts have “thrown the research world into chaos.” Admissions for PhD programs are being curtailed. Perhaps as many as 75% of scientists are considering leaving the U.S., leading to a fear of a “lost generation” of American scientists. Combined with cuts in education, cuts to scientific research also impact K-12 science education.
These cuts (and others) have provoked resistance throughout the country. Over 1,900 elected members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued an open letter opposing the Trump administration’s war on science. A group of current and former EPA employees wrote an Op-Ed piece defending their work in environmental justice programs to protect the health of communities. Researchers, doctors, and their supporters rallied to “Stand Up for Science” in New York and other cities. A coalition of officials from 23 states sued the Trump administration over cuts to public health. On April 5, millions of people throughout the country attended more than 1,400 “Hands Off” rallies to protest the Trump administration’s deep budget and staffing cuts, funding freezes, tariffs, and President Trump’s “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda.”
I believe that support for science and the scientific method of evaluating hypotheses is essential for preventing the country from being overwhelmed by those replacing facts with assertions based on fear and anger. Therefore, I ask you to challenge the Trump administration’s cuts and restore funding to research institutions.
Thank you.
