Ranking Member Lofgren's Statement on NSF Director Panchanathan's Resignation

“For much of the last five years, Director Panchanathan led the National Science Foundation through an era of great progress. In his letter of resignation, he notes the accomplishments of his tenure, including implementing provisions of the landmark CHIPS & Science Act, adapting to the generational challenge of COVID, and tackling the pervasive issue of sexual harassment and assault in STEM. In the last three months, things have been far bleaker at NSF. Hundreds of meritorious grants have been canceled. Brilliant, dedicated civil servants have been coerced out the door, and NSF announced this afternoon that it is encouraging more to leave the already understaffed workforce. Director Panchanathan’s contributions to the scientific enterprise in the first five years of his tenure are vanishing before our eyes thanks to President Trump's anti-science crusade, and the damage will take decades to undo.”

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