Some good news at last! In the latest stand against President Trump’s policies, Congress has ignored Trump’s request to cut funding to science and the arts. According to “an advanced copy of America’s budget for the 2017 financial year, it looks like there has been an actual increase in science funding across the board.”

According to IFL Science the Trump administration is “one of the most anti-scientific governments” in US history. 

Alternative facts, anyone?

While the 2018 budget has yet to be determined, scientists and healthcare providers can rest easy for a little bit longer. “Any spending bill has to be approved by Congress” and the most recent bill has the approval of Democrats and most of the Republican party.

Some highlights of the bill include the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) funding only being cut 1% (as opposed to 31%), the US Geological Survey (USGS) has been granted $1.09 billion (as opposed to being cut 10%), NASA’s STEM programs are being given $37 million and $100 million are being given to educational programs (but should still watch out for 2018), and renewable/clean energy research funding has been boosted by $17 million. More highlights canbe found at IFL Science! 

Matt Hourihan, Director of AAAS’ R&D Budget and Policy Program, tweeted some graphs that shine the spotlight on exactly how President Trump’s promises to cut funding have played out.

Last month, scientists marched on Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about the importance of scientific research. They also advocated for the sciences’ ability to open the mind and develop “robust debate.”

“Science is a very human thing,” said Ashlea Morgan, a doctoral student in neurobiology at Columbia University. “The march is allowing the public to know that this is what science is, and it’s letting our legislators know that science is vitally important.”

Thankfully, it looks like Congress has gotten the message!