16 states sue National Science Foundation in latest DEI clash
Source: Courthouse News Service
May 28, 2025
(CN) — A coalition of 16 attorneys general filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the National Science Foundation to stop the agency from slashing programs aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM. The states say in the suit filed in the Southern District of New York that investment in promoting the participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities in science, technology, engineering and math fields has been directed by Congress numerous times with unwavering support from the legislative body. In April, the agency announced on its website that it was adopting “new priorities” for its funding programs.
Co-leading the suit, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement that dozens of projects have already been cancelled since then. In New York alone, she said, 18 programs funded with $11 million in National Science Foundation funds that specifically seek to promote diversity in STEM have had funding revoked. The coalition argues in the complaint that this priority directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act, fails to offer any legal basis for the change in priorities andby defying Congress’s directive to “promote the full human resources of the nation” by uplifting underrepresented groups in STEM.
It adds that the National Science Foundation violates the separation of powers by defying Congress’s directive to support women and minorities in STEM by refusing to dole out appropriated funds or strive to meet the expressed goals. "Congress has been consistent in its observations about the 'untapped STEM talent pools' where broader participation must be 'encourage[d],' and has never suggested that all such efforts must be diluted to also encourage STEM participation amongst populations that are already participating in STEM fields at higher rates," the states say.
If allowed to stand, the states say, the agency’s new priorities would devastate scientific research at universities throughout the country and unseat the United States as a global leader in STEM. “Every time we go online, scan a barcode at checkout or get an MRI, we use technology made possible by the National Science Foundation,” James said. “This administration’s attacks on basic science and essential efforts to ensure diversity in STEM will weaken our economy and our national security.”
Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/16-states-sue-national-science-foundation-in-latest-dei-clash/
Link to NY AG PRESS RELEASE - Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Protect Scientific Research and Education Programs
Link to FILING (PDF) - https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/state-of-new-york-et-al-v-national-science-foundation-brian-stone-complaint-2025.pdf
PARTICIPATING STATES (from the press release) -
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