Republican House Members Urge Review of National Academies Funding

Several Republican House lawmakers urged the Trump administration on Tuesday to consider suspending taxpayer funding for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The lawmakers argued the congressionally chartered organization exhibits bias and advances a leftist narrative in its work.

The letter specifically addressed a chapter on climate change in the National Academies’ latest Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence. This manual is used by judges to evaluate scientific and statistical evidence presented at trial. "Most shocking is that there was no fully independent, meaningful peer review from scientists with differing views on climate science," the lawmakers said of the climate research.

They called on officials to investigate whether the National Academies is complying with President Trump’s executive order aimed at restoring gold standard science across government agencies. The missive also referenced federal grant guidelines that require avoidance or disclosure of significant financial interests that could directly and significantly affect scientific research.

The lawmakers noted that the National Academies has made donations to climate change advocacy groups. A Biden-era Department of Transportation grant provided $84 million in taxpayer funding to the National Academies in 2024. The lawmakers said the American people are fed up with taxpayer dollars being used to push political agendas.

The letter was addressed to officials including those at the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation. Additional signers included multiple Republican representatives, though specific names beyond the lead author were not detailed in reports.

The National Academies, the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation and the organization itself did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The manual in question serves as a reference tool in legal proceedings where scientific evidence is at issue.

The development reflects ongoing debates over the use of federal funds for scientific research organizations and the standards applied to peer review in climate-related work. No immediate action has been announced by the administration in response to the letter.