MENG STATEMENT ON CUTS TO SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), released the following statement on the Administration's decision to cut more than 400 grants funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF):

"I am deeply concerned by the Trump Administration's decision to once again slash National Science Foundation (NSF) support for science, this time terminating more than 400 research and STEM education grants. The NSF has spent decades working to diversify our STEM workforce and support cutting-edge research that ultimately improves the lives of Americans. Its efforts to broaden participation in science have empowered our nation to become the global leader in research and innovation, leading to major discoveries and advancements in health care, manufacturing, national security, and other fields.

Under this administration, our scientific research community has already faced illegal funding freezes and staffing cuts, with detrimental consequences. Terminating federal grants supporting this work will cause even more chaos and confusion at the NSF and research institutions across the country. Opportunities are being ripped away from our most promising young minds, and the uncertainty of federal support for research and development means we will lose our top talent to other countries or careers, stunting American research and innovation for generations to come.

Experts, not political agendas, should guide scientific research. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, I expect the NSF to meet its statutory obligations, restore this federal funding, and allow valuable research and STEM education projects to continue without political pressure."