Chuck Hagel, the former US defense secretary, and other former US national security officials, including two senior figures from Donald Trump’s first term, on Tuesday warned that China was outpacing the US in critical technology fields and urged Congress to increase funding for federal scientific research.
The appeal comes a week after the National Science Foundation (NSF), which funds science research, fired 170 people in response to Donald Trump’s order to reduce the federal workforce.
The ex-officials want Congress to provide at least $16bn authorized for the NSF in fiscal year 2025, according to a letter seen by Reuters addressed to Trump, John Thune, the Senate majority leader, and Mike Johnson, speaker of the US House of Representatives.
The former officials singled out support for the NSF’s Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate (TIP) established in 2022, which they see as crucial to transforming research into practical applications vital to US military capabilities and economic strength.
Appeal from officials, including two senior figures from Trump’s first term, comes amid reports National Science Foundation’s budget will be slashed.
