That's a fair point, though it would be even better if science wasn't so terribly underfunded as it is. We have a lot of pressing, current issues but we also have a lot of spending that could be put to better use. Like defense, for which in first world countries $100M is basically change money. Or corporate welfare. Or funding political campaigns. Science is literally the last thing you want to use "we have a lot of pressing, current issues now that may be worth more fixing" line against.