Attorney General Weiser pleased court blocks Trump administration from cutting medical and public health research funding

March 5, 2025 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser today praised a federal district court ruling that blocks the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health from cutting billions of dollars in funds that support cutting-edge medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country.

Last month, Attorney General Weiser and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit, Massachusetts v. NIH, to protect critical funds that facilitate biomedical research, like lab, faculty, infrastructure, and utility costs. Without them, the lifesaving and life-changing medical research in which the United States has long been a leader, could be compromised.

“This is a major win for research institutions in Colorado and across the country that rely on NIH funding to conduct innovative research and drive our economy,” said Attorney General Weiser. “Colorado is known for its groundbreaking medical advancements that have improved and saved countless lives. I’m pleased with the ruling and will continue to make sure that the administration makes these research funds available so that we remain a leader in medical research.”

On February 10, less than six hours 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, barring its attempts to cut the critical research funding. Today’s order takes the place of the temporary restraining order and prevents the Trump administration from cutting this important category of funding as the case proceeds. It will remain in effect until a final ruling is made.

The NIH is the primary source of federal funding for medical research in the United States. Medical research funding by NIH grants have led to innumerable scientific breakthroughs, including the discovery of treatment for cancers of all types and the first sequencing of DNA. Additionally, dozens of NIH-supported scientists have earned Nobel Prizes for their groundbreaking scientific work.

###

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov