Nearly 150 employees of the National Science Foundation sent a letter of dissent to Congress, asserting that actions by the Trump administration endanger the agency's independence. The letter, signed mostly anonymously, warned against budget cuts, mass firings, and evictions. A concerning secondary review process by political appointees is believed to undermine the agency's merit-based review system. Union President Jesus Soriano expressed concerns about retaliatory actions against staff. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren pledged to defend the NSF and protect employees from retaliation amidst growing concerns over the administration's direction.
"Nearly 150 employees of the National Science Foundation sent an urgent letter of dissent to Congress, warning that the Trump administration's recent actions threaten to dismantle the independent agency."
"The letter insisted that Congress intervene to stop steep budget cuts, mass firings, and grant terminations, as well as the withholding of billions in appropriated funds."
"A covert and ideologically driven secondary review process by unqualified political appointees is allegedly interfering with the scientific merit-based review system."
"Lofgren promised to do 'all' that she 'can' to protect the agency and the entire US scientific enterprise, and to protect Soriano from retaliation."
#national-science-foundation #trump-administration #political-interference #budget-cuts #science-integrity
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