Summary
Trump’s administration announced a $4 billion annual cut to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding, targeting “indirect costs” like infrastructure and personnel.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a staunch Trump supporter, cautiously warned it could harm institutions like the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a key economic and healthcare provider.
Her mild criticism suggests she is hearing from anxious constituents or worried about the impact on her state.
The cuts could devastate rural academic health centers nationwide, and legal experts argue they may be unlawful, likely prompting lawsuits.
She should be more concerned as a Senator that the NIH’s funding is set by Congress, not the President.
The concern should be “Why is the President trying to do my fucking job?”