Following a report by U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz, America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into the alleged misuse of federal research funds by the Biden-Harris Administration. AFL claims these funds were used to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and has filed a lawsuit against the National Science Foundation (NSF) for allegedly concealing employment records related to grant approvals.
The Biden-Harris Administration established a task force on "scientific integrity" to review DEI practices across science-related agencies. Subsequently, agencies were directed to integrate DEIA considerations into their operations.
Sen. Ted Cruz released a report on October 9, revealing that over $2.05 billion in federal funding was allocated to scientific research projects promoting DEI or neo-Marxist perspectives from January 2021 to April 2024. The report indicated a significant increase in grants focused on DEI initiatives from 0.29 percent in 2021 to 27 percent in 2024.
AFL is conducting an investigation based on these findings. The organization accuses the administration of misusing taxpayer funds intended for scientific research to advance what it describes as anti-intellectual and anti-American ideologies.
Reed D. Rubinstein, Senior Vice President of America First Legal, stated: “Federally funded scientific research plays a critical role in our national security and economic well-being. Every dollar matters. Thus, Sen. Cruz and his staff deserve the American people’s thanks for exposing the Biden-Harris Administration’s misuse of over $2 billion in taxpayer funds to advance the racist, neo-Marxist, and anti-American DEI ideology, and reward its cronies."
America First Legal plans to continue its oversight efforts to hold accountable those involved in these activities.