House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren led 31 Democratic Members in sending a letter to President Donald Trump on May 13 regarding his April 24 termination of all 22 members of the National Science Board. The letter questions the legal basis for the decision and calls for immediate reinstatement of the board.
The issue is significant because the National Science Board advises Congress and the President on activities of the National Science Foundation. The foundation has held this advisory role since its creation in 1950. Members expressed concern that removing all board members could harm scientific excellence in the United States.
In their letter, the Members wrote, “Firing the Board was essentially a middle finger to Congressional intent, making your spokesperson’s claim that you ‘look forward to working with the Hill to update the statute and ensure the NSB can perform its duties as Congress intended’ particularly ludicrous. We still await your outreach on this matter.”
They continued, “The writing is on the wall, and it spells disaster for our scientific excellence. For over 75 years, the National Science Foundation has been the envy of the world. Our allies and adversaries alike have sought to emulate it, so they could attempt to nurture similarly boundary-pushing scientific ecosystems. Amongst our own scientific agencies, it is a crown jewel, setting the standard for scientific excellence. Purging the 22 scientists who are responsible for guiding NSF is the nail in the coffin for an agency that has weathered 15 months of attacks by you and your ignorant cronies.”
Zoe Lofgren is currently serving in Congress representing California’s 18th district after replacing Don Edwards in 1995; she previously served on Santa Clara County’s Board of Supervisors from 1981 to 1994 according to the U.S. Congress. Lofgren graduated from Stanford University with a BA in 1970 and earned her JD from Santa Clara University in 1975 according to the U.S. Congress.
