Supreme Court Asked to Decide on NIH Grant Cuts

The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court to allow the cancellation of approximately $783 million in NIH research grants related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), gender identity initiatives, and transgender healthcare. This follows a June ruling by U.S. District Judge William Young that blocked the cuts, citing violations of federal law and discriminatory impacts on racial minorities and the LGBTQ community. The administration argues the funding decisions are policy matters within executive authority and references a recent Supreme Court ruling that upheld similar federal program cuts. Lawsuits challenging the terminations were filed by 16 Democratic-led states, advocacy groups, and scientists, who claim the move is an ideological purge that threatens public health research. The Justice Department seeks to overturn the lower court's injunction, emphasizing the judiciary should not interfere in executive funding decisions. The Supreme Court, with a conservative majority, is being asked to decide whether the NIH funding reductions can proceed.