GOP lawmakers urge Trump admin to defund ‘woke’ National Academies

Several Republican House lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to consider suspending taxpayer funding for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. They argue that the congressionally chartered research organization is biased and promoting a “leftist” narrative. Led by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), the lawmakers are specifically concerned about a chapter on climate change in the National Academies’ latest “Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence,” which is used by judges to evaluate scientific and statistical evidence presented at trial.

The lawmakers believe that the chapter on climate science is highly politicized and intended to influence judges in major climate lawsuits. They have written a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought expressing their concerns.

The GOP lawmakers are urging an investigation into whether the National Academies is violating President Trump’s executive order on “Restoring Gold Standard Science” and federal grant guidelines. They argue that the organization has been influenced by a partisan and special interest-driven agenda that prioritizes narratives over facts.

One of the major concerns raised by the lawmakers is the lack of independent peer review in the climate chapter. They point out that the chapter only highlights contributions from individuals employed by Columbia University’s controversial climate science institutions, raising questions about conflicts of interest.

Additionally, the lawmakers highlight the funding the National Academies has received from left-wing climate advocacy groups such as the ClimateWorks Foundation and the George Soros-backed Tides Foundation. They also mention that research conducted by the academics behind the chapter has been funded by groups involved in climate lawsuits, further emphasizing potential conflicts of interest.

Rep. Eric Burlison and his colleagues are calling for the suspension of federal grants to the National Academies, citing concerns about taxpayer dollars being used to push political agendas. They argue that when government-funded institutions blur the line between research and advocacy, it erodes trust and requires accountability.

Other lawmakers who signed the letter include Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.).

The White House Office of Management and Budget, Department of Transportation, and National Academies have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. The world is constantly changing and evolving, with new technologies, innovations, and discoveries being made every day. One area that has seen significant growth and development in recent years is the field of artificial intelligence (AI).

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