Employees of the National Science Foundation (NSF) are going public with concerns about “politically motivated and legally questionable” actions by the Trump administration related to their agency.
Their concerns range from mass firings by the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency to interference with the grant process.
In particular, the employees allege that for grants, “a covert and ideologically driven secondary review process by unqualified political appointees is now interfering with the scientific merit-based review system.”
The accusation and others are detailed in a letter addressed to Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Lofgren said at a press conference that the letter was being submitted to her office as “a protected whistleblower disclosure.”
It was signed by 149 staffers, virtually all of whom signed either anonymously or whose names were redacted in the version of the letter that was made public on Tuesday.
The NSF is an independent science agency that supports scientific research across various fields including biology, engineering, computer science and geoscience.
The agency declined to comment on the letter.
The staffers also said that the administration canceled 1,600 NSF grants in April and May using “undisclosed criteria” and that the White House Office of Management was withholding $2.2 billion of the agency’s $9 billion budget that was appropriated by Congress.
“Members of the administration have a say on what programs get funded and what proposals get awarded,” said Jesus Soriano, president of the AFGE Local 3403, which represents NSF employees.
Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
(NEXSTAR) — Forget the dog days of summer — it’s corn sweat season. Through the end of July, the National Weather Service has warned that a large stretch of the country — from Louisiana to Minnesota and eastward — is expected to experience “dangerous, prolonged heat” coupled with humid weather.
News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:
The Forest Service Claims It’s Fully Staffed for a Worsening Fire Season. Data Shows Thousands of Unfilled Jobs. (ProPublica)
After FEMA axed aid, is an Eastern Shore town lost to the bay? (The Baltimore Banner)
On Tap
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson will appear before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a hearing on improvements to FEMA
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing “to identify challenges to meeting increased electricity demand”
