Senator Ted Cruz is spearheading a Republican effort to push back against what he sees as misplaced priorities in President Biden's 2024 budget proposal. Cruz and his colleagues on the Senate Commerce Committee are circulating a memo urging fellow Republicans on the Appropriations Committee to reject funding for certain climate and equity initiatives within key scientific agencies.

The memo targets funding requests from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cruz argues that these agencies should focus on their core missions rather than what he terms "ancillary progressive causes."

Specifically, Cruz criticizes NOAA's requests for funding related to "climate-ready nation" building, environmental justice within the seafood industry, and expanding a "Community Social Vulnerability Toolbox." He suggests that these funds would be better used for essential upgrades like modernizing NOAA's aircraft fleet.

The memo also takes aim at NASA's budget, particularly its increased funding for Earth Science programs focused on climate change and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Cruz questions the value of NASA's efforts to reduce carbon emissions in aviation and its support for "climate smart agriculture," viewing them as deviations from the agency's primary space exploration mission.

NIST, responsible for promoting U.S. industrial competitiveness, also draws criticism for its requests related to climate change and environmental sustainability, as well as its DEI programs. Cruz objects to using funds intended for innovation on what he considers politically driven initiatives.

Finally, Cruz challenges the NSF's significant budget increase, particularly its funding for climate research, clean energy technology, and climate equity fellowships. He argues that these initiatives stray from the NSF's core responsibilities.

Cruz's memo represents a broader Republican pushback against the Biden administration's focus on climate change and social equity within federal agencies. The debate over these funding priorities is likely to continue as Congress considers the 2024 budget.