Latest news with #ZoeLofgren
E&E News
5 days ago
- Politics
- E&E News
Dems slam ‘baffling' move to boot science agency from HQ
House Democrats are demanding answers from the Trump administration about its plans to remove National Science Foundation employees from the agency's headquarters to make room for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) — who serve on the House committee with jurisdiction over scientific research and the National Science Foundation — sent a letter this week to the head of the General Services Administration demanding swift responses about the displacement of the science agency. 'This baffling decision demands answers on the process that has or has not been followed, the plans for NSF, and the jaw-dropping demands allegedly made by Secretary Turner regarding luxury accommodations for his personal use,' the lawmakers wrote to acting GSA Administrator Stephen Ehikian. Advertisement 'We are in receipt of the letter and are working on a timely response,' a GSA spokesperson said in an email.
E&E News
10-06-2025
- Climate
- E&E News
House lawmakers revive bipartisan forecasting bill
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced legislation Friday to help the National Weather Service make critical upgrades to its forecasting and storm prediction capabilities. The 'Weather Act Reauthorization bill,' H.R. 3816, would 'fund ongoing critical research programs while also establishing new programs to advance forecasting, expand commercial data partnerships, strengthen emergency preparedness, and advance tools for farmers, ranchers and resource managers,' according to a release from sponsor Rep. Frank Lucas. The Oklahoma Republican used to chair the Science, Space and Technology Committee. The panel's current ranking member, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), is the bill's main co-sponsor. Advertisement The legislation would fund the modernization of weather research programs, including for tornado warning and hurricane forecasting technologies. And it would increase NOAA's access to forecasting data by expanding its authority to contract with the private sector.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EPA, Park Service take big hits in latest Trump budget plan
The Trump administration's more detailed budget request seeks to decimate science, staffing and other programs at multiple environment-related federal agencies. Entities ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the National Park Service (NPS) would see deep and specific cuts under the less 'skinny' version of the administration's budget that was released late Friday. The EPA sees a 35 percent cut to the payroll for its science staff and for staff who work on environmental programs and environmental management. NPS sees a 30 percent cut to its staff in charge of park system operations. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sees a 28 percent cut to its operations, research and facilities staff payroll. But it's not just staff that takes a hit. A number of offices related to energy and environmental research, as well as disaster response, are reduced or eliminated under the proposal. It completely zeroes out NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, for example, and also cuts federal assistance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by 32 percent. Science and technology activities at the EPA would see a 33 percent cut, while environmental programs and environmental management at the agency would see an 18 percent cut. And the Energy Department would also see a 13 percent cut to its science office. The budget document also proposes to 'wind down' the department's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which was established in the Biden-era Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster emerging energy technologies including hydrogen power, carbon capture, advanced nuclear reactors, and batteries. 'This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, in a written statement. 'In no way can America continue to lead if Trump continues his vendetta against the scientific enterprise. While Trump slashes budgets for American research and innovation, our adversaries, like China, are popping champagne. I will do everything I can to stand in the way of this ridiculous plan.' In previous years, a White House budget request has been taken as more of a signal of an administration's priorities than a roadmap that's likely to be realized since it's Congress, not the administration, that has the power of the purse. The Trump administration, however, has signaled that it is willing to go further to challenge that authority, already instituting massive layoffs at many agencies and gearing up for more. And White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said over the weekend that the administration would consider 'impoundment' to get its agenda across the finish line. It's not entirely clear how the budget would play out politically, as cuts to programs such as NPS have been historically unpopular. The administration's calls for cuts to FEMA have also been met with mixed reviews even within the GOP, although the budget proposal stops short of the administration's broader calls to eliminate FEMA entirely. The document released late Friday gives additional color to a less detailed 'skinny budget' previously released by the administration. The skinny budget also proposed big cuts at similar agencies. The White House has described the cuts as an effort to take on the 'Green New Scam,' saying in a fact sheet that 'President Trump is committed to eliminating funding for the globalist climate agenda while unleashing American energy production.' The previously announced document called for a 55 percent cut to the EPA's overall budget and a 31 percent cut to the Interior Department, which houses the Park Service. It also called for transferring certain national park 'properties' to the states. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
EPA, Park Service take big hits in latest Trump budget plan
The Trump administration's more detailed budget request seeks to decimate science, staffing and other programs at multiple environment-related federal agencies. Entities ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the National Park Service (NPS) would see deep and specific cuts under the less 'skinny' version of the administration's budget that was released late Friday. The EPA sees a 35 percent cut to the payroll for its science staff and for staff who work on environmental programs and environmental management. NPS sees a 30 percent cut to its staff in charge of park system operations. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sees a 28 percent cut to its operations, research and facilities staff payroll. But it's not just staff that takes a hit. A number of offices related to energy and environmental research, as well as disaster response, are reduced or eliminated under the proposal. It completely zeroes out NOAA's office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, for example, and also cuts federal assistance at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by 32 percent. Science and technology activities at the EPA would see a 33 percent cut, while environmental programs and environmental management at the agency would see an 18 percent one. And the Energy Department would also see a 13 cut to its science office. The budget document also proposes to 'wind down' the department's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which was established in the Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law to to bolster emerging energy technologies including hydrogen power, carbon capture, advanced nuclear reactors, and batteries. 'This sick joke of a budget is a nonstarter,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, in a written statement. 'In no way can America continue to lead if Trump continues his vendetta against the scientific enterprise. While Trump slashes budgets for American research and innovation, our adversaries, like China, are popping champagne. I will do everything I can to stand in the way of this ridiculous plan. In previous years, a White House budget request has been taken as more of a signal of an administration's priorities than a roadmap that's likely to be realized since it's Congress, not the administration, that has the power of the purse. The Trump administration, however, has signaled that it is willing to go further to challenge that authority, already instituting massive layoffs at many agencies and gearing up for more. And White House budget director Russell Vought said over the weekend that the administration would consider ' impoundment ' to get its agenda across the finish line. It's not entirely clear how the budget would play out politically, as cuts to programs such as NPS have been historically unpopular. The administration's calls for cuts to FEMA have also been met with mixed reviews even within the GOP, though, the budget proposal stops short of the administration's broader calls to eliminate FEMA entirely. The document that was released late Friday gives additional color to a less detailed 'skinny budget' previously released by the administration. The skinny budget also proposed big cuts at similar agencies. The previously announced document called for a 55 percent cut to the EPA's overall budget and a 31 percent cut to the Interior Department, which houses the Park Service. It also called for transferring certain national park 'properties' to the states.
E&E News
28-05-2025
- General
- E&E News
Democrats demand details on the future of EPA labs
Top House Science, Space and Technology Committee Democrats are insisting that EPA leaders explain their plans for the agency's research labs while meanwhile accusing them of dishonesty. 'It is time to tell the truth,' ranking member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said in a caustically worded Tuesday letter to Administrator Lee Zeldin. Lofgren asked Zeldin whether EPA intends to close any of its 10 field laboratories and research facilities, and if so, which ones. Should any of those facilities remain open, Lofgren asked, will their budget and staffing levels increase to pick up work from those that close? And which EPA program office will run them? Advertisement Joining the California Democrat on the letter was Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), ranking member on the Science Subcommittee on the Environment.
