Burlison Leads Effort to Investigate National Academies Over Taxpayer Funding Concerns

WASHINGTON — Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) led 10 House colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought requesting an investigation into federal funding awarded to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) over concerns about bias, conflicts of interest, and misuse of taxpayer dollars.  

The letter raises concerns that taxpayer-funded research is being used to advance political agendas and shape policy and litigation, rather than provide independent scientific analysis. It warns that when federally supported research is driven by advocacy, it can be used by agencies and courts to justify decisions that do not reflect objective evidence.  

The letter cites NASEM’s recent Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, which includes a climate-science chapter that lacked balanced peer review. It raises concerns about conflicts of interest and warns the material could be used to influence ongoing litigation and regulatory policy.  “The American people are fed up with taxpayer dollars being used to push political agendas,” Rep. Burlison said. “When government-funded institutions blur the line between research and advocacy, it undermines trust and demands accountability.” 

Burlison and his colleagues urged DOT and OMB to examine whether NASEM should be suspended or debarred from receiving federal grants and contracts. The letter notes DOT provided $84 million in funding to NASEM in 2024. 

Additional signers of the letter include Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO-04), Scott Perry (PA-10), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Barry Moore (AL-01), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Keith Self (TX-03), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), and Morgan Griffith (VA-09). 

Co-signer Statements: 

Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01): “Taxpayer-funded institutions must advance gold standard science. The concerns raised about NASEM point to a troubling pattern of partisan bias, conflicts of interest, and misuse of federal dollars. When organizations entrusted with informing our courts and policymakers abandon scientific integrity, it undermines public trust and can lead to misguided decisions that affect every American. I’m proud to join this effort to ensure accountability and restore confidence in federally funded research.” 

Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03): “Conservatives have major problems with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Federal funding should not go towards NASEM until Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought has conducted a thorough audit of any possible fraud, abuse or theft. Academia is not immune to accountability.” 

Outside Support:  

Mark Meadows, Former Congressman and White House Chief of Staff: “The National Academies of Science has used taxpayer dollars to fuel radical, Leftist work for far too long. Their anti-Trump bias is paired with radical Green New Deal extremism, and they should be disqualified from receiving further funding from federal agencies. I’m proud to join my friends and former colleagues in urging the Department of Transportation to end all contracts and grants with NAS.”  

Read the letter: