Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren Condemns White House Firing of CDC Director Monarez
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to force the resignation of Centers for Disease Control Director Susan Monarez after Monarez reportedly clashed with RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine agenda. Later, the White House announced that Monarez had been fired. “The message is clear: get in the way of Trump and RFK Jr.’s anti-science agenda, and you will be silenced," said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). "The foundations of our … Continue Reading
August 26, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Calls Out Trump Administration for Gutting Natcast and Undermining CHIPS Act
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, announced that the operations of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) would be immediately moved from the National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology Center (Natcast) to the Department of Commerce. “This is yet another glaring example of the Trump Administration undercutting expertise and replacing it with shady political favoritism,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “Instead of … Continue Reading
August 20, 2025Committee Leaders Lofgren and Amo Demand Answers from Trump Administration Regarding Process to Repeal Endangerment Finding
(Washington, DC) - On Monday, 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 the process by which EPA plans to repeal the 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. “As evidenced by nearly every action … Continue Reading
August 19, 2025Lofgren and Obernolte Introduce Bill to Accelerate Development of the Fusion Workforce
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the STEM Education and Skilled Technical Workforce for Fusion Act. The bill would authorize activities at the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy to support the retention, development, and growth of a fusion workforce. “Fusion is the future,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “To power that future, we need a highly skilled workforce … Continue Reading
August 07, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Calls Trump Out for Corrupt Executive Order Requiring Political Appointees to Approve Federal Grants
(Washington, DC) - Today, the President signed an Executive Order that will require all federal grants be approved by Trump-appointed politicals. Civil servants and subject matter experts have long carried out this role in order to remain unbiased and apolitical. “This Executive Order is nothing short of obscene," said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). "In what world does Donald Trump think that Americans want political appointees - who, need I remind the President, are unelected bureaucrats … Continue Reading
July 29, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Blasts Administration for Plan to Revoke GHG Endangerment Finding
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it intends to rescind 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. “This is delusional and unscientific," said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). "EPA’s longstanding … Continue Reading
July 25, 2025NEWS: Schiff, Padilla, Lofgren Demand Reversal of Layoffs, Budget Cuts at National Laboratories
California lawmakers highlight potential harms to AI development and other cutting-edge research as proposed $2.75 billion budget cut and seizure of existing funds trigger layoffs at labs across U.S. Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, urged the Trump administration to reverse the budget cuts that are triggering layoffs across the … Continue Reading
July 25, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Questions Purge of High-Ranking Civil Servants at NOAA
(Washington, D.C.) - This week, it was reported that two high-ranking career individuals were placed on administrative leave at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These personnel actions come ahead of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s scheduled vote on Neil Jacob’s confirmation as NOAA Administrator next week. The civil servants placed on leave include Dr. Stephen Volz, Assistant Administrator for NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, … Continue Reading
July 22, 2025Lofgren, AFGE Leaders Hold Press Conference Releasing NSF Employees' Letter of Dissent
(Washington, DC) - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) hosted a press conference to release, in coordination with American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a letter of dissent from National Science Foundation (NSF) employees. The letter was transmitted to House Science Committee Democrats as an official whistleblower complaint in order to allow the Committee to protect the signers from retaliation by the Trump administration. At the press conference, Ranking Member Lofgren, … Continue Reading
July 18, 2025Ranking Member Lofgren Condemns Trump Administration Move to Destroy EPA ORD
(Washington, DC) - Today, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that EPA will carry out a reduction in force (RIF) at EPA’s Office of Research and Development. This RIF will gut EPA’s ability to conduct environmental research to inform the agency's decisions on harmful chemicals and toxins in the air, soil, and water. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) made the following statement: “Administrator Zeldin has finally confirmed what he has denied for months … Continue Reading
July 17, 2025Committee Leaders Demand NASA Cease Scheme to Illegally Impound FY25 Funds, Warn of Losing Leadership in Space
(Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Ranking Member Valerie Foushee (D-NC) wrote a letter to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Interim Administrator Sean Duffy warning him of the dire consequences to U.S. leadership in space if the administration illegally impounds congressionally appropriated FY25 funds for NASA. “We write to you with rising alarm for the future of NASA,” the Members wrote in their letter. … Continue Reading
July 09, 2025Democratic 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