Congress Bets on Science, Boosts Agency Budgets Over Trump Plans

The Senate approved an 82-15 minibus funding bill that increases funding for NOAA, NASA, and NSF beyond the Trump administration’s requests, after the House passed it 397-28. The package funds agencies through Sept. 30, blocks proposed large cuts (NSF’s 57% cut, NASA science funding cuts, and NOAA cuts) and even adds money to NOAA’s satellite program and Weather Service staffing. It also protects indirect research costs. If signed by the president, the bill would maintain broader science funding while allowing for modest overall spending, reflecting bipartisan support for science and weather research.