As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to find ways to slash spending, the National Institutes of Health set new caps on funding over the weekend. But the move — which the scientific community says amounts to devastating cuts to institutions’ research capabilities — could hit some red states particularly hard, prompting some Republican senators to lobby Trump for a carveout and minimize the consequences for their constituents.
“I’ve heard from my people back home that it would be very difficult for universities in Louisiana to conduct this research,” Sen. Bill Cassidy said. “Of course, I want research done for the sake of my people in Louisiana,” which received $228 million in funding from the NIH in fiscal year 2023.
“One thing I’ve heard loud and clear from my people in Louisiana is that Louisiana will suffer from these cuts,” he added. “And research that benefits people in Louisiana may not be done.”