Attorney General Mayes, along with a coalition of 21 other attorneys general, has achieved a nationwide preliminary injunction in the case of Massachusetts v. NIH. This order prevents the Trump Administration, along with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from reducing billions in funding for medical and public health research at universities and research institutions nationwide.
"This ruling is a victory for life-saving medical research and the millions of people who have benefited from it," stated Attorney General Mayes. "The Trump Administration’s reckless attempt to gut critical NIH funding would have derailed groundbreaking innovations and put lives at risk. I will continue to fight to ensure that Arizonans have access to the best medical advancements possible."
The injunction safeguards essential funds supporting biomedical research, including lab operations, faculty support, infrastructure, and utility costs. Without these resources, significant medical research achievements that position the United States as a global leader could be jeopardized.
On February 10, shortly after the coalition filed their lawsuit against the administration, a judge in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order against NIH's efforts to cut crucial research funding. The new order replaces this temporary restraining order and maintains protection over this vital funding as legal proceedings continue. The injunction will stay in place until a final decision is reached.
The NIH serves as the primary federal funder for medical research in America. Its grants have facilitated scientific breakthroughs such as new cancer treatments and DNA sequencing advancements. Numerous scientists supported by NIH grants have received Nobel Prizes for their innovative work.
Attorney General Mayes joined this lawsuit co-led by attorneys general from Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. Other states involved include California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.