Why did two major science powers decide to slash funding for physics at the same time? While some have begun to worry that research is failing out of favour, the consensus is that it probably has more to do with political expediency and poor management than a concerted attack.rnIn the US, Congress had been fighting the administration for months over how a flat total budget should be shared out. Both sides initially agreed that physics should get substantial increases, but time ran out on the negotiations and something had to give. Policy observers say it was easier to cut US involvement with overseas science projects than risk a backlash by targeting domestic priorities such as healthcare.
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