New York Attorney General Letitia James has aligned with a group of 16 attorneys general to release a joint statement in anticipation of a court hearing regarding the case Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. National Institutes of Health. The hearing will address efforts to extend a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against funding cuts by the Trump administration that impact medical and public health research across the nation.
The coalition expressed concerns over the Trump administration's decision, stating, "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."
According to the statement, these funds are crucial for covering expenses necessary for biomedical research such as laboratory operations, faculty support, infrastructure, and utility costs. The coalition warned that without this funding, critical research activities could be severely impacted. They highlighted that research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has led to advancements in treatments for diseases like cancer and heart disease.
"Attorneys general are not just fighting for the rule of law; we are fighting for our loved ones, our friends, and our neighbors," the statement continued. The coalition is urging the court to maintain its block on these funding cuts.
Earlier this month, on February 10, Attorney General James joined 22 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration's attempts to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements at research institutions nationwide. The court responded quickly by issuing a TRO against NIH to prevent these cuts.
Joining Attorney General James in today's statement are attorneys general from states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.