Fri Jan 16 00:20:00 UTC 2026: # Senate Overrides Trump’s Proposed Science Budget Cuts, Approves Billions for Federal Agencies

The Story

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the U.S. Senate voted to approve billions of dollars in funding for federal science agencies, effectively rejecting significant budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump. The Senate bill allocates substantial funding to NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), exceeding the White House’s initial requests. The bipartisan vote signals strong congressional support for scientific research and development, despite the administration’s efforts to reduce spending in these areas.

The approved funding will support a wide range of scientific endeavors, including research in quantum information science, artificial intelligence, astrophysics, and space exploration. The legislation specifically allocates funds for completing a telescope to investigate dark energy and for the Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s largest moon. The Senate’s actions underscore the importance of continued investment in scientific innovation and its potential benefits for the nation.

Key Points

  • The Senate approved billions in funding for federal science agencies, overriding President Trump’s proposed cuts.
  • The NSF will receive $8.75 billion for research, including quantum information science and AI.
  • The White House had sought to cut the NSF budget by 57%.
  • The Senate approved $24.44 billion for NASA, rejecting a proposed $6 billion cut.
  • The bill includes $1.6 billion for Astrophysics, with $300 million allocated to a dark energy telescope and $500 million for the Dragonfly mission to Titan.
  • Senator Rand Paul criticized the legislation, labeling the NSF funding a waste of taxpayer money.

Key Takeaways

  • The Senate’s bipartisan vote demonstrates strong congressional support for science funding, even in the face of presidential opposition.
  • The approved funding prioritizes research in cutting-edge fields such as quantum information science, AI, and space exploration.
  • The Senate’s action ensures the continuation of numerous scientific projects and supports thousands of researchers and students.

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