Re: “The White House seeks sharp spending cuts in Trump’s 2026 budget plan” (Could 2, Nation):
President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 price range consists of vital cuts to U.S. analysis and improvement, threatening many years of scientific progress and Washington’s future in innovation. I urge Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to reject these shortsighted cuts and shield our state’s analysis ecosystem.
My small enterprise conducts plasma physics analysis and develops new energy programs. We remodel elementary science into sensible options for semiconductor manufacturing, clear vitality applied sciences, aerospace and protection. Federal grants from the Division of Vitality, Division of Protection and NASA assist allow this work. With out this assist, we can’t proceed introducing new improvements to those industries.
Over the previous 5 years, Washington-based startups, together with ours, have obtained greater than $175 million in federal funding, fueling tech improvement, job progress and expertise retention.
These proposed cuts would additionally shrink the long run scientific and engineering workforce. Washington’s universities obtain over $300 million yearly from federal analysis grants, which fund pupil analysis and practice the following era of scientists and engineers. Chopping this pipeline would harm Washington’s long-term financial energy and world competitiveness.
Our financial system, vitality management and nationwide safety rely on sturdy, sustained funding in science and innovation. Sens. Murray and Cantwell ought to reject this price range proposal.
James Prager, Seattle
