Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, alongside a coalition of 16 attorneys general, issued a joint statement before a court hearing in the case Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health. The plaintiffs aim to extend a temporary restraining order (TRO) against what they describe as unlawful funding cuts by the Trump Administration that affect medical and public health research at universities and institutions nationwide.
The statement from AG Ford and his colleagues asserts: "The Trump Administration’s attempt to cut research funding at thousands of research institutions across the country is not only unlawful; it undermines public health, our economy and our competitiveness." They emphasize that existing laws protect this funding, which supports crucial aspects of biomedical research including lab expenses, faculty costs, infrastructure, and utilities. Without these funds, significant research efforts could be compromised.
Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has contributed to understanding various medical conditions and developing treatments for diseases such as cancer, ALS, Parkinson's Disease, heart disease, PTSD among others. The attorneys general argue that cutting these funds would severely impact universities leading groundbreaking research while also training future researchers.
The coalition insists they are defending both the rule of law and public health: "Attorneys general are not just fighting for the rule of law; we are fighting for our loved ones, our friends and our neighbors," adding their commitment to prevent politics from affecting public health initiatives.
Previously on February 10th, AG Ford joined 22 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration along with the Department of Health and Human Services and NIH in Massachusetts' U.S. District Court. This lawsuit challenges attempts to reduce “indirect cost” reimbursements nationwide. Shortly after filing this lawsuit, an emergency TRO was granted preventing NIH from implementing these cuts.
This funding includes about $50 million designated for Nevada institutions like UNR, UNLV, and NSU focusing on projects such as opioid overdose prevention. A UNR professor highlighted concerns over potential risks if this financial support ceases.
Joining AG Ford were attorneys general from states including Arizona, California Connecticut Colorado Delaware Hawaii Maine Maryland Minnesota New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin co-led by Massachusetts Illinois Michigan.