Ranking 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 they’ll be rehired, and what will happen to the critical work they did every day. These people dedicated their careers to public service, like my guest for the evening, a U.S. Air Force veteran and scientist who was fired from his position at the USDA. As the Ranking Member of the Science Committee, I launched a survey where individuals fired by President Trump can share their stories. We have heard from 700 fired federal employees. We take each submission very seriously and appreciate those who have helped shine a light on DOGE and the President’s actions, which are, by design, shrouded in darkness.
“These chaotic firings will make people less safe. As the President spoke, fires burn in the Carolinas, and a severe weather system is making its way across the nation. Meanwhile, the desks of hundreds of NOAA employees, whose job is to inform Americans of incoming severe weather and hazards, are empty.
“Republicans speak at length about our ability to compete with China. But talk is cheap. Trump's never-ending assault on science will result in us losing our technological edge to China, and the rest of the world. In one fell swoop, the foundation of American research and development that has been painstakingly built for decades with celebrated bipartisan legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act now crumbles at the hands of Co-Presidents Trump and Musk. We even heard the President call to repeal the CHIPS and Science Act last night, despite the jobs and progress it is bringing to communities across the nation—most of which are Republican-led districts and states. Democrats are fighting back, and we will continue to stand up for science.”
Science Committee Democrats have launched a survey for individuals fired by the Trump Administration to share their story.
Learn more here: democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
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