In a surprising move, the White House has slashed millions in federal funding for food production research at numerous universities, disregarding prior commitments to protect these programs.

This decision, part of President Donald Trump's broader plan to withhold $4 billion in international aid and development spending, has sparked controversy for bypassing congressional approval and targeting initiatives popular among Republicans, as Politico reports.

Earlier this year, budget chief Russ Vought assured Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) that funding for programs like the Feed the Future Innovation labs would remain intact.

Unexpected funding cuts shock program

Vought specifically promised that $5 billion in related funding would be safeguarded, emphasizing that successful initiatives, including the labs, would not be affected by budget reductions.

Despite this pledge, Vought reversed course in August, abruptly canceling all funding for the labs in a move that sidestepped congressional oversight.

The cancellation was executed through a loophole known as a "pocket rescission," allowing federal funds to be withdrawn at the fiscal year's end, which occurred at midnight on Tuesday.

Legal maneuver sparks debate among lawmakers

This method has drawn criticism from lawmakers, the Government Accountability Office, and legal experts, though the Supreme Court has ruled that Trump can legally withhold these billions without congressional consent.

Vought has defended the maneuver as lawful, maintaining that it aligns with the administration's fiscal priorities.

Neither the Office of Management and Budget nor Sen. Hyde-Smith responded to multiple requests for comment following the decision.

Feed the Future Labs lose vital support

The Feed the Future Innovation labs, which receive $72 million from USAID, are among the programs hit by the $4 billion cut to international aid and development spending.

These labs, hosted at universities like Mississippi State University with its Fish Innovation Lab, focus on sustainable food production and have enjoyed bipartisan support, particularly among Republicans.

Sen. Hyde-Smith has praised the labs' mission, highlighting their role in teaching long-term solutions rather than providing temporary relief.

Long-term impacts on global food security

She stated, "The lab’s work truly illustrates the proverb, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’"

"Rather than giving other countries food, we are teaching them how to feed themselves through modern aquaculture practices," Hyde-Smith added.

A former worker on Feed the Future programming warned of the broader consequences, saying, "Climate change, weather extremes, pressure from pests, all of that stuff is just increasing, and we’re really just shooting ourselves in the foot. Those are things that are not going to stop just because we decide to take funding away from it."