Ranking 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 and months — the destruction of the Office of Research and Development. The Trump Administration is firing hardworking scientists while employing political appointees whose job it is to lie incessantly to Congress and to the American people. The obliteration of ORD will have generational impacts on Americans’ health and safety. This is a travesty.”
For months Democratic leaders on the Science Committee have been calling for transparency regarding the administration’s plans to kneecap EPA ORD. The administration repeatedly lied to the Committee, the press, and the public about its plans.
See below:
March 17, 2025
New York Times: Trump Administration Aims to Eliminate EPA’s Scientific Research Arm
March 27, 2025
Committee Members Demand EPA Administrator Stop Plans to Close Office of Research and Development
May 2, 2025
Ranking Member Lofgren Reacts to Trump Administration Plan to Gut EPA ORD
May 27, 2025
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