Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 21 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The lawsuit challenges recent funding cuts to universities and research institutions across the country. Filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, it targets a decision by the Trump Administration to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements for research institutions nationwide.

Attorney General Bonta stated, “We are suing President Trump and his administration because they are once again violating the law. Let’s be clear about what they are seeking to do now: they want to eviscerate funding for medical research that helps develop new cures and treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.” He emphasized California's role as a leader in biomedical research.

UC President Michael V. Drake expressed concern over the impact of these cuts on research and innovation in America. “Cuts of this magnitude would deal a devastating blow to our country’s research and innovation enterprise," he said.

CSU spokesperson Jason Maymon highlighted potential consequences for California State University campuses due to reduced reimbursement rates from NIH grants. "The NIH’s drastic reduction in reimbursement...will leave CSU’s 23 universities with millions in unfunded expenses," he noted.

Rafael Jaime, president of UAW 4811, supported the lawsuit citing its importance to members involved in critical medical research projects.

The NIH recently announced an abrupt reduction in indirect cost rates effective immediately, causing significant budget concerns among affected institutions. The lawsuit argues that this action violates the Administrative Procedure Act by being arbitrary and capricious.

Most NIH-funded research occurs outside federal government facilities at both public and private universities. In California alone, institutions like UC received substantial NIH funding which is crucial for their operations.

In joining this legal action, Attorney General Bonta aligns with his counterparts from states including Arizona, New York, Washington, and others.