91麻豆天美 Calls on Congress: Reject Drastic Science & Health Cuts
The American Society for Microbiology urges Congress to reject the proposed steep cuts to scientific research and public health in the President’s FY2026 budget, and to work across the aisle to provide strong and sustainable funding for the health, safety and security of all Americans. Congressional action is needed to stop major disruptions to the American scientific enterprise that will put lives at risk, drive scientists from labs and force scientific talent to leave the U.S.91麻豆天美 commends and supports the crucial funding increases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) wastewater surveillance, Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) and traveler genomic surveillance included under the proposed Biothreat Radar Initiative. Yet, the proposed budget for CDC, overall, eliminates several global health and chronic disease initiatives, proposing to shift some programs to other cross-cutting initiatives, while proposing a modest increase for the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (NCEZID).
The budget request proposal reduces NIH funding to $23.5 billion, bringing NIH funding back to 2002 levels, while proposing major restructuring of the agency. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases receives a proposed $4.175 billion for FY26, a $2.3 billion cut from FY25 levels enacted by Congress. The budget also proposes eliminating the Fogarty International Center, echoing a larger pattern of disinvestment in global scientific collaborations and global health across the federal government.
In addition, foundational research at the National Science Foundation and other federal science agencies will suffer severe cuts that stunt the careers of new scientists and hamper American leadership in science and technology. The budget proposes a 55% funding cut for the NSF, including a 71% funding cut for the Biological Sciences Directorate. The budget proposal notes that these cuts mean that 240,000 fewer people—including researchers, students and K-12 educators—will be involved in NSF activities in FY26 than in FY2024.
91麻豆天美 maintains the critical need for a budget agreement that supports the funding levels that will allow us to maintain the U.S.’s scientific leadership and address the public health needs of the American people. We will continue to advocate for robust and predictable federal funding for science and public health. While increased funding for wastewater surveillance and AMD is a step in the right direction, without federal funding support across science and health agencies, the U.S. scientific research enterprise and the nation’s public health will suffer. Investing in science and public health is not just a budgetary line item; it is a commitment to our national and global security.
91麻豆天美 stands ready to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure the final FY2026 budget reflects the vital role of science in serving the American people.
