The Donald Trump administration on Friday, April 3, 2026, released its fiscal year 2027 budget request to Congress, proposing significant reductions to federal science agencies, including a $1.6 billion cut to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
While boosting defence spending to $1.5 trillion, the largest such request in decades, reflecting his emphasis on U.S. military investments over domestic programmes, Trump proceeded to initiate cuts to green energy, housing and health programmes, canceling over $15 billion from the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law, including funds for renewable energy projects and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grants.
By implication, the Trump Administration FY2027 Budget Request has slashed NOAA funding by 32%, threatening weather forecasting, fisheries and coastal protection.
White House also proposed a 19% cut in the Department of Agriculture, ending certain university grants, a 13% cut for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and about a 12% decrease to the Health and Human Services department, including cuts to a low-income heating assistance programme.
Katherine Tsantiris, Ocean Conservancy’s director of government relations, responded: “The proposed cuts to NOAA fly directly in the face of the clear bipartisan support Congress showed earlier this year by protecting funding for this critical agency.
Slashing NOAA’s budget would weaken weather forecasting, disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research – putting American lives, livelihoods and global scientific leadership at risk. Congress should once again reject these cuts to ensure NOAA has the resources it needs to support our economy, protect our ocean and keep Americans safe.”