Ranking 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
February 18, 2025Committee Leaders Demand Commerce Secretary Lutnick Protect Employees From Musk’s Mindless DOGE Firings
Washington, DC - Today, Committee Leaders Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Subcommittee on Environment Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI), and Subcommittee on Research and Technology Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick immediately following his Senate confirmation demanding that Commerce employees be protected from Co-Presidents Trump and Musk’s mindless firings. “We write to you with the urgent request that Department of Commerce (DOC) … Continue Reading
February 18, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Stevens Statement on NSF Employee Firings by DOGE
Washington, DC - Today, the National Science Foundation (NSF) fired 168 individuals, including probationary employees and expert appointments. This is the next science agency to cave to the demands of Co-President Elon Musk’s DOGE to terminate employees across the government. “This Administration’s relentless attack on science is a disgrace and international embarrassment,” said Ranking Members Lofgren and Stevens. “Indiscriminately firing 10% of NSF’s workforce today is a massive mistake … Continue Reading
February 14, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Blasts Co-Presidents Trump and Musk for Mindless Federal Workforce Firings
WASHINGTON, DC—Since Thursday evening, Elon Musk and DOGE have been carrying out indiscriminate terminations of individuals in key programs across the federal government. Some employees have been rehired after the Administration realized their roles are key to national security. “Mindlessly purging the government of its workforce will put Americans in danger,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “Without any transparency of DOGE—by design, it seems—it’s hard to understand the decision process of … Continue Reading
February 10, 2025Committee Leaders Stress to NOAA the Threat of Elon Musk, Demand Answers on DOGE Access to Crucial Data Systems
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Members Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Gabe Amo (RI-1) of the Subcommittee on Environment, and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight sent a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) demanding answers on the safety and status of sensitive data possessed by the agency. “We have observed, with great alarm, the shocking disregard for data privacy and security protocols exhibited by personnel associated with the … Continue Reading
February 10, 2025Committee Leaders Stress to DOE the Threat of Elon Musk, Demand Answers on DOGE Access to Classified and Proprietary Data
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Members Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Deborah Ross (NC-2) of the Subcommittee on Energy, and Emilia Sykes (OH-13) of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight sent a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE) demanding answers on the safety and status of sensitive and proprietary data possessed by the department. “We have observed, with great alarm, the shocking disregard for data privacy and security protocols exhibited by personnel associated with the so-called … Continue Reading
February 09, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Foushee Call Out Trump's NASA for Alleged Employee Censorship
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Members Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) issued the following statement after reporting from NASA Watch alleged that employees at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters in Washington have been directed to remove symbols aligned with or celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. According to the reporting, employees are prohibited from displaying anything related to pride in their office, including lapel pins, badge lanyards, … Continue Reading
February 06, 2025Committee Leaders Stress to NASA the Threat of Elon Musk, Demand Answers on Whether DOGE Has Made Contact
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Members Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) sent a letter to NASA demanding answers on the safety and status of sensitive data and whether DOGE has made contact with the space agency. "We have observed, with great alarm, the shocking disregard for data privacy and security protocols exhibited by personnel associated with the so-called 'Department of Government Efficiency,' or DOGE, the Ranking Members said in the letter. "The executive order that … Continue Reading
February 05, 2025Science Committee Democrats Organize and Announce Subcommittee Ranking Members
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met to organize and adopt Committee Rules. “With our Committee now organized, we’re ready to hit the ground running,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “I want to extend my congratulations to each of our Subcommittee Ranking Members. As the lead Democrat on the Committee, I am laser-focused on sticking up for federal science. Since Inauguration Day, the Trump Administration has been working hard to crumble … Continue Reading
February 04, 2025Ranking Members Huffman, Lofgren Sound the Alarm on Musk’s Invasion at Key Science Agency
(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) issued the following statement: “Elon Musk and his DOGE hackers are ransacking their way through the federal government, unlawfully gaining unfettered access to Americans’ private information and gutting programs people depend on. Now they have reached NOAA where they’re wreaking havoc on the scientific and … Continue Reading
February 03, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Seeks to Understand Damage to Science Agencies as Result of Trump’s Reckless Executive Orders
(WASHINGTON, DC) - On Sunday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren sent a series of letters to several agencies under the Science Committee’s jurisdiction demanding answers regarding each agency’s implementation of the President’s Executive Orders attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the federal scientific enterprise. The letters were sent to the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology … Continue Reading