Congress rejects Trump 55% NSF cut, limits science funding reduction to 3.4%

Trump signed the FY2026 appropriations bill on February 3, 2026, ending a four-day partial government shutdown. The final bill rejected the proposed 55% cut to the National Science Foundation, instead reducing NSF funding by 3.4% from its $9.06 billion baseline. Congress also protected NASA science and Department of Energy basic research, with bipartisan support from members who warned that deep cuts would cede technological leadership to China.