Democratic Ranking Members Demand Answers from FEMA and NOAA Following Devastating Texas Floods
Washington, D.C.—Following the devastating flooding along the Guadalupe River and surrounding areas in Texas, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Subcommittee on Public Buildings, Economic Development and Emergency Management Ranking Member Greg Stanton (D-AZ), House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) wrote to the Federal Emergency … Continue Reading
July 09, 2025Science Committee Leaders Demand Commerce Secretary Lutnick Appear Before Committee to Answer for NWS Staff Shortages
The demand for testimony comes as search and rescue efforts continue in Central Texas after horrifying flooding devastated the area. (Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo (RI-1) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnick demanding he testify before the Committee to explain his plan to address staff shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS). The letter comes after the devastating flooding in … Continue Reading
July 09, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Stevens Demand Answers from GSA on HUD Takeover of NSF Headquarters
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian of the General Services Administration (GSA). In their letter, the Ranking Members demand answers from Ehikian on the decision process that led the GSA to greenlight the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) takeover of the National Science Foundation (NSF) building in Alexandria, VA. … Continue Reading
July 08, 2025Congressman Don Beyer Delivers Remarks at Science Committee Democrats Event on Research Grants Canceled by Trump Administration
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology - Democrats is hosting an event titled, The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants. Over twenty scientists from research institutions across the nation whose grants have been canceled by the Trump administration are in attendance to present posters to share their story and discuss their now-canceled research grants. The research represented at this event ranges from neuroscience, to … Continue Reading
July 08, 2025Science Committee Democrats to Host Event Today Highlighting Research Grants Canceled by Trump Administration
(Washington, DC) - Today, Tuesday, July 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer (Rayburn Foyer) the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology - Democrats are hosting an event titled, The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants. Over twenty scientists from research institutions across the nation whose grants have been canceled by the Trump administration will be in attendance to present posters to share their story and discuss their … Continue Reading
July 07, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on the Devastating Flooding in Texas
(Washington, DC) - Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) made the following statement on the recent flooding and ongoing search and rescue efforts taking place in and around Kerr County, TX: "My thoughts are with the communities and families impacted by the devastating flooding in Texas,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “As first responders continue to search for those still missing and Texas works to recover from this ongoing tragedy, many questions will need to be answered. Climate change … Continue Reading
July 03, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Statement on Administrator Zeldin Retaliating Against EPA Employees
(Washington, DC) - Today, it was reported that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin put over 130 EPA employees on administrative leave in retaliation for signing an open letter that criticized the dismantling of the agency under the Trump administration. The Administrator explicitly tied these personnel actions to the employees' signing of the letter, asserting that there is a “ZERO tolerance policy” for exercising First Amendment rights if federal employees’ free … Continue Reading
June 25, 2025Trump Administration Sabotages Science and Taxpayers With Corrupt Takeover of NSF Building
(Washington, DC) - Last night, Politico reported that the Trump administration is preparing to move the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) into the headquarters of the National Science Foundation (NSF) -potentially dislocating the entire staff of NSF. According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the HUD takeover of the NSF building involves plans for several luxury upgrades for HUD Secretary Scott Turner, including: A dedicated executive suite for the … Continue Reading
June 13, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Condemns RFK Jr.'s Anti-Science Takeover of Vaccine Advisory Committee, Demands Reversal
(Washington, DC) - On June 9, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy fired the entire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Yesterday, Secretary Kennedy announced new members of ACIP, including noted vaccine skeptics, without any proper vetting or a transparent selection process. ACIP is supposed to function as an advisory committee of independent experts which makes recommendations to the CDC on the use of … Continue Reading
June 02, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Blasts Trump Administration for Reckless Budget Attacking Science
(Washington, DC) - Late last week, the Trump administration began breaking out details of its budget requests agency by agency. The Administration is proposing massive cuts to federal science. The Science Committee does not have Congressional Justifications for every agency under its jurisdiction, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). “This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter," said Ranking Member … Continue Reading
May 30, 2025Ranking Members Lofgren and Larsen Call on Trump Administration to Reinstate Canceled Bipartisan Transportation R&D and Workforce Grants
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and Ranking Member Rick Larsen of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy imploring the Trump administration to reinstate transportation research and development grants to University Transportation Centers (UTCs) after seven were canceled in early May. The bipartisan UTC program was established in … Continue Reading
May 28, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Invites Individuals Whose Grants Have Been Canceled by Trump to Share Their Experience
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) launched a submission form on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology - Democrats’ website where individuals whose grants have been canceled by the Trump administration can share their experience. “Trump’s attack on science has been nonstop," said Ranking Member Lofgren. "In an effort to better understand the impact of his reckless assault on our scientific enterprise, Science Committee Democrats have launched a submission … Continue Reading
May 27, 2025Science Committee Leaders Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Illegal Scheme to Shutter EPA ORD Labs
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin demanding answers on EPA’s plan to shut down its research laboratories. In March, Science Committee Democratic staff reviewed an excerpt of EPA’s Agency Reduction in Force (RIF) and Reorganization Plan (ARRP). The excerpt revealed that EPA intends to shut down its Office of Research and … Continue Reading
May 19, 2025Ranking Members Lofgren and Amo Implore Trump Administration to End Reckless Hiring Freeze at NWS
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought imploring the White House to grant a public safety exemption for the National Weather Service (NWS) and immediately lift the hiring freeze keeping the agency from hiring individuals to fill vacancies at woefully understaffed NWS forecasting offices. Currently, the Trump administration has a hiring freeze … Continue Reading
May 14, 2025Science Committee Democrats Hold Roundtable After Trump Administration Cancels NOAA's Billion Dollar Disaster Report
(Washington, DC) - Today, Democratic Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hosted a roundtable to discuss the Trump administration's cancellation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Billion-Dollar Disasters Report. During the roundtable, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI), and Congresswoman Luz Rivas (D-CA) … Continue Reading
May 08, 2025Science Committee Members Demand Answers from NSF on Award Terminations and Reckless Policy Actions
(Washington, DC) - Today, Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology sent a letter to Brian Stone, Acting Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). In the letter, the Members detail the turmoil that has taken place at NSF since the Trump administration began, including the termination of awards that total over one billion dollars. The Members demand answers on how decisions are being made at NSF and call into question the legality of the actions the Trump … Continue Reading
May 06, 2025HASC, SST Democrats Demand Answers on Potential SpaceX, Musk Conflicts of Interest and Alleged Chinese Investment Cover-Ups
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee; and Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Ranking Member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee sent a letter today to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Acting Administrator for NASA, Janet Petro, highlighting concerns … Continue Reading
May 05, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Sends Letter to OSTP Director Kratsios after Dismissal of Climate Assessment Scientists
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Director Michael Kratsios of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) regarding the dismissal of hundreds of scientists working on the forthcoming National Climate Assessment (NCA). In the letter, Ranking Member Lofgren wrote, “This decision encapsulates many of the ongoing themes of this Administration - it sets the stage for a violation of the law, it guts federal scientific capabilities, and … Continue Reading
May 05, 2025Top Committee Leaders Press Energy Department for Answers on Detrimental Departmental Policies and Unlawful Funding Freeze—Following Up on Repeated Requests
Washington, D.C. — Today, the top Democrats in Congress with oversight over the Department of Energy (DOE) sent a letter to Secretary Chris Wright demanding information the Department has thus far failed to provide about its suspension of critical energy programs, cancellation of awards and contracts, mass reductions in force, and other detrimental actions. In their letter, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking … Continue Reading
May 02, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to Trump Administration Plan to Gut EPA ORD
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laid out its plan to gut the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). Plans to dismantle EPA ORD were first revealed in a document reviewed by Science Committee Democratic Staff in March and reported by the New York Times. EPA ORD is critical to American public health and is tasked with conducting the science and research that enables the EPA to make life-saving decisions on toxins and chemicals in the environment. “By … Continue Reading