Ranking Member Lofgren Condemns Trump Administration's Plan to Slash Support for NASA
(Washington, DC) - Today, various reporting has detailed the Trump Administration’s plan to slash funding and eliminate crucial functions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to reporting, the cuts significantly impact NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), nearly halving SMD’s budget. "President Trump and OMB Director Vought are proposing a slash and burn of NASA’s world-leading science programs," said Ranking Member Lofgren (CA-18). "Effectuating these … Continue Reading
April 11, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Blasts Trump Administration’s Reckless Budget Plan for NOAA
The plan eliminates NOAA’s research arm, which is crucial for life-saving, accurate forecasting. (Washington, DC) - Today, various reporting has detailed the Trump Administration’s plan to slash funding and eliminate crucial functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The plan, which has been reviewed by Science Committee Democratic Staff, notably decimates NOAA’s research capabilities by eliminating the Agency’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research line office. … Continue Reading
April 08, 2025Committee Leaders Demand Answers from NASA on DOGE Access After the Agency Refuses to Comply with Investigation
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (NC-4) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and Ranking Member Emilia Sykes (OH-13) of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight sent a letter to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), continuing their months-long investigation regarding DOGE personnel and their access to sensitive data and systems at the Agency. In today’s letter, the Members double down on their … Continue Reading
April 04, 2025Lofgren and Amo Condemn Trump Administration Plan to Shut Down NOAA Research Websites and Their Data
The members call out the administration for its latest attempt to censor science and demand the websites be saved. (Washington, DC) - Last night, reporting revealed that the Trump administration plans to shut down websites associated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) research division. President Trump and Commerce Secretary Lutnick plan to cancel the contracts of webservers that support these websites. If the websites are eliminated, the climate and weather … Continue Reading
April 03, 2025House Energy Leaders Call for Investigation into Department of Energy’s Scheme to Cancel Awards and Contracts
DeLauro, Kaptur, Pallone, Castor, Lofgren, Ross Raise Concerns that Trump Administration is Contributing to Rising Prices and Targeting Democratic-Leaning States and Districts Washington, D.C. — Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03); Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-09); Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06); Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee Ranking Member Kathy Castor … Continue Reading
April 02, 2025Science Committee Members Blast Trump Administration for its Attack on American Manufacturing
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, funds for ten of the 51 centers that make up the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) were withheld by the Trump administration. The ten centers are in the following states: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming. The Trump administration has notified these centers that they will no longer receive funding, effectively ending the programs. It is … Continue Reading
March 29, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to the President's Move to Destroy Union Rights
Washington, DC - On Thursday, the president signed an executive order that seeks to end collective bargaining at several federal agencies. "This latest assault on federal workers is especially egregious,” said Ranking Member Lofgren (CA-18). “Trump and DOGE are having trouble getting their way as Democrats and federal courts work to stop their extremely unpopular sweeping attacks on federal institutions. Childishly, Trump is trying to change a decades-old agreement to get his way and strip … Continue Reading
March 28, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to EPA Offering Companies Permission to Pollute
Lofgren warns companies thinking of taking advantage of an offer to pollute. Washington, DC - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun a campaign that will allow polluting companies to apply for exemptions of regulations in the Clean Air Act. On the EPA website, where companies can use an EPA-provided template to apply to bypass clean air regulations, it states that exemptions will be decided by the president. … Continue Reading
March 27, 2025Committee Members Demand EPA Administrator Stop Plans to Close Office of Research and Development
Washington, DC - Yesterday, Democratic Science Committee Members sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Zeldin demanding that he cease any plans to weaken or shutter EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). The EPA, along with other federal agencies, was ordered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit an Agency RIF and Reorganization Plan (ARRP) to OMB in early March. In EPA’s Reduction in Force (RIF) plan, the agency made a proposal to … Continue Reading
March 26, 2025Committee Leaders Demand Reversal of NOAA Space Commerce Office Firings
Washington, DC - Last week, Committee leaders sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Lutnick demanding that the firings of probationary employees at NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce be reversed. NOAA’s OSC is essential for the continued growth of America’s burgeoning commercial space sector. The letter was signed by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (NC-4), and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking … Continue Reading
March 20, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Blasts Trump Administration for Dismantling Department of Education
Washington, DC - Today, the president signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. “Dismantling public education is the latest massive mistake made by the Trump administration,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18). “Our young Americans are our future. Without access to the critical public school programs that enable success, they may falter. We cannot lead the world in science and technology development if we have an uneducated workforce. Trump is stealing the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2025Committee Leaders Introduce Bills to Stop Trump & Musk’s Reckless Firings of Critical Federal Workforce
Washington, DC - Yesterday, Science Committee leaders introduced bills that would institute a moratorium on reductions in force (RIF) at federal science agencies under the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s jurisdiction. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren sponsored the bills. Ranking Member Haley Stevens of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Ranking Member Deborah Ross of the Subcommittee on Energy, Ranking Member Valerie Foushee of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and … Continue Reading
March 14, 2025Committee Leaders Huffman, Lofgren, Dexter, and Amo Demand Information on NOAA Lease Terminations
The leaders released a list of 34 office leases identified by the Trump administration to be up for termination, along with the target closure dates. Washington, DC - Yesterday, Committee on Natural Resources (HNR) Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-2), Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), HNR Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Ranking Member Maxine Dexter (OR-3), and SST Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Gabe Amo (RI-1) sent a … Continue Reading
March 13, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Calls Trump Administration Out for Risking Public Health with Endangerment Finding Reconsideration
Washington, DC - Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced they would begin the reconsideration of the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding. The finding was finalized in 2009 and concluded that greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations. This is a major blow to science-based efforts to address the consequences of climate change. “Call this what it is: climate denial, plain and simple," said Ranking Member Zoe … Continue Reading
March 11, 2025Committee Leaders Demand Information from Trump Administration on Forthcoming DOGE RIFs, Implore Agency Leaders to Protect Mission
Washington, DC - Today, Science Committee leaders sent letters to the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration demanding that the agencies disclose their reduction in force (RIF) plans with the Committee immediately. Per the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) February 26th memo, the Trump administration is requiring … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren's Statement on the Passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner
Washington, DC - Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) made the following statement upon the news of the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner (TX-18): "I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Congressman Sylvester Turner. Mr. Turner devoted decades of his life to public service as a Member of the Texas House of Representatives, Houston City Mayor, and finally Representative of Texas’s 18th Congressional District. While his tenure on the Science Committee was short, … Continue Reading
March 05, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren's Statement on the President’s Joint Address to Congress
Washington, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) made the following statement regarding President Trump’s joint address to Congress. “During a speech that traditionally celebrates progress made and progress to come, the President instead delivered an ominous outlook for the future of our nation. As he spoke, thousands of federal employees who Trump has fired wonder what their future looks like. They are trying to make ends meet—still struggling to understand why they were fired, if … Continue Reading
February 28, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Stevens Implore National Science Board to Stop Destruction at NSF
Washington, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Subcommittee on Research and Technology Ranking Member Haley Stevens (MI-11) sent a letter to the National Science Board (NSB) imploring them to do everything in their power to stop the ongoing destruction of the National Science Foundation (NSF). “We write to you with great urgency to request you exercise your important role as a member of the National Science Board and do everything in your power to stop the ongoing destruction … Continue Reading
February 27, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Amo Statement on NOAA Employee Firings
Washington, DC - This afternoon employee firings began at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Federal employee terminations continue as the Trump Administration’s DOGE pillages its way through government agencies. “This will cost American lives,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. “Protect lives and property; that is NOAA’s mission. Firing the employees that allow the agency to carry out that mission will bring about dire consequences. People will die and face great … Continue Reading
February 21, 2025Committee Leaders Unsatisfied with NASA Response Regarding DOGE Access, Demand More Information
Washington, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (NC-4), and Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Ranking Member Emilia Sykes (OH-13) sent a letter to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) further investigating DOGE’s potential to inflict harm on the agency and its mission. The Members sent their first letter to NASA regarding the threat of DOGE on February 6. NASA responded to that … Continue Reading