Trump and Musk accused of violating the law by cutting billions of dollars in funding for cancer and disease research

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The Trump administration is under fire for pushing a policy that would slash federal foundation for research focused on finding cures for some of the most deadly diseases affecting American families.The administration's latest move would cap indirect costs on National Institutes of Health research grants at 15 percent, a decision that could cut billions in support for essential research into cancer, Alzheimer's, ALS, diabetestes, mental health disorders, opioid abuse, and other serious health conditions.These indirect costs (also known as facilities and administrative expenses) cover the backbone of scientific research. They fund laboratory spaces, scientific equipment, researchers and critical infrastructure, which makes advanced biomedical breakthroughs possible. Rosa Delauro, the royal woman who was funded by the House, called the move illegal and dangerous. She noted that since 2018, Congress has repeatedly passed laws to prevent any government from changing the NIH funding structure without approval. “President Trump and Elon Musk have clearly acted against the law,” Delauro said. “They are trying to steal vital funds from institutions that are working to save lives.” In 2017, Trump first proposed cutting NIH funds by nearly 20%, including nearly $1 billion from cancer research. The plan was widely rejected by Democrats and Republicans. In response, Congress held hearings and enacted legislation to protect NIH grants, including specific language, to prevent changes to funds for overhead expenses. Since then, the law has been renewed in each annual appropriations bill. However, the Trump administration has once again tried to cover it. Delauro warned that the move could delay or derail the disease that affects millions of Americans and accused management of life at risk. “The proposal will cost life and must be stopped.” Legal experts expect federal judges to weigh soon. Prior to this, researchers and public health advocates remained concerned about the future of important research that puts the United States at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

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