Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) called the cuts “illegal and unconstitutional” because they defy the will of Congress, which holds the power of the purse, including at the NIH. Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to impose taxes and allocate funds for national priorities.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has joined fellow senators to reintroduce a bill aiming to invest $60 billion in forest preservation across Oregon and the West.