The article discusses the historical funding trends for science under Republican and Democratic administrations, challenging the common perception that Democrats are more pro-science. A study published in Science reveals that, from 1980 to 2020, science funding was generally higher when Republicans controlled the White House or House of Representatives compared to when Democrats were in power.
During Trump’s presidency, significant cuts to federal science funding were proposed, but historically, Republican administrations have provided more financial support to various scientific agencies, such as the CDC and NASA. This finding suggests that the GOP’s reputation as anti-science may not align with actual funding levels.
Despite the overall small percentage of the federal budget allocated to science (3.3% at most), funding battles often depend on congressional negotiations. While Republicans have shown resistance to some areas of scientific research, like social sciences and gun violence studies, there are indications that behind-the-scenes support for scientific funding exists within the party. The study authors suggest that Democrats may have more competing priorities, influencing their funding decisions.
Looking ahead, the future of scientific funding under the current administration remains uncertain, but past trends indicate that Congress may act independently to support science budgets, potentially counteracting proposed cuts.
