White House touts $5B Genesis Mission while Democrats allege NSF funds diverted

A dispute over whether NSF grant funds are being withheld or redirected to support the White House Genesis Mission surfaced Wednesday at a House Science Committee hearing, where OSTP Director Michael Kratsios announced more than $5 billion in federal commitments to the initiative even as Democratic members pressed him on data showing a sharp decline in awards.

Genesis, established by executive order in November 2025 and led by the Energy Department, uses artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific research across more than 15 federal agencies. The Department of Energy's FY2027 budget request earmarks $1.2 billion for Genesis work at Argonne and Oak Ridge National Laboratories.

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren of California cited NSF data showing 55% fewer grants awarded and $1.3 billion less disbursed than at the same point in 2024. "The president requested a $3 billion cut to NSF for both FY '25 and '26," she said. "Congress said heck no and funded the agency close to FY '24 levels. Yet the money's not getting out the door."

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici raised a separate concern: a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that, she said, would give political appointees review authority over federally funded research. Kratsios denied White House involvement in individual grant decisions and said his office is working closely with OMB and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to ensure the federal research enterprise "remains world class and is trustworthy and accountable." Committee Chair Brian Babin presided over the July 22 hearing.