Michigan Congresswoman Leads House Rebuke Over Science Funding Cuts

Congresswoman Haley Stevens criticized budget cuts to the National Science Foundation during a Congressional address, warning they threaten Michigan’s innovation economy, jeopardizing over $3 billion in federal research funding and STEM educational programs.

Congresswoman Stevens warns of economic and research fallout from Trump-era NSF budget slashes impacting Michigan universities and workers due to science funding cuts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a forceful address to Congress, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens led a Special Order Hour Thursday condemning sweeping cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF) under former President Donald Trump’s second administration, warning they pose serious threats to Michigan’s innovation economy and STEM education infrastructure, particularly in light of ongoing science funding cuts that threaten significant research initiatives.

Stevens, joined by several Democratic colleagues, criticized what she described as reckless actions that have “jeopardized more than $3 billion in federal research funding” flowing to Michigan universities, research institutions, and small tech businesses. The cuts have already led to the termination of over $1 billion in NSF grants, many of which support STEM programs and research partnerships in Michigan, further exacerbating the impact of science funding cuts.

Powerful Floor Remarks From Michigan Representative Draw National Attention

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Stevens highlighted what she sees as direct attacks on science, research, and American competitiveness. “The State of Michigan is known for its manufacturing prowess and skilled workforce,” Stevens said, “but what’s often overlooked is that Michigan relies on innovation.” She called the budget cuts part of an anti-science agenda that “undermines this symbiotic relationship” between federal investment and economic advancement.

She cited a series of troubling NSF changes since the start of Trump’s second term, including:

Over $1 billion in canceled STEM grants
Program cuts to bipartisan-supported legislation, including Stevens’ own Building Blocks of STEM Act, which Trump signed in 2019
Mass layoffs under a so-called Reduction in Force effort
Elimination of scientific advisory boards
Politicization of the merit-based review process that determines scientific grant awards

NSF Staff Firings Draw Protest as Dismissed Workers Watch From Gallery

Making the event more poignant, former NSF workers affected by the budget reductions attended the Special Order Hour from the House gallery. The layoffs stemmed from what the Trump administration labeled as efforts to reduce “bloat” within NSF operations, despite 94 percent of the NSF’s budget being passed directly to science institutions in the form of grants, awards, and scholarships.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), who co-led the session with Stevens, warned of a looming “brain drain” in public science and research. “What these cuts and agency firings will do is hurt the health and safety of every American and diminish our country’s standing in the world,” he said.

Michigan Faces the Risk of Lost STEM Opportunities and Economic Setbacks

Michigan’s major research universities—including University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State—are top NSF grant recipients. Analysts estimate that the NSF directly supports thousands of STEM students, faculty, and startup entrepreneurs across the state. The policy changes now threaten these pipelines.

Rep. Stevens framed the funding rollback as a threat to next-generation mobility technologies, advanced manufacturing, and environmental research, all key sectors of Michigan’s future economic strategy.

“Trump’s chaotic policies are setting Michigan up to lose,” Stevens said bluntly.

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