Luz Rivas: “this week we should be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and the countless investments…”

“this week we should be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and the countless investments it has made to propel our country ahead in the technological race. However, since the start of the Trump-Musk administration, the NSF has been in its crosshairs. In total, Elon Musk, DOGE, and this administration have terminated over 1,400 meritorious grants totaling more than $1 billion in funds. Some of the projects that these funds would have supported include giving middle school students opportunities to use math and design to address agricultural issues; identifying the use of deepfakes and curbing the spread of misinformation; and supporting and training the next generation of quantum technicians. Cuts to these programs, and many more, came with no transparency, little communication, and zero accountability. My colleagues on the Science Committee have repeatedly demanded that the administration answer for their actions, even as recently as this week. Each time we were met with radio silence. This administration needs to answer for its unprecedented attack and how it wiped out decades of progress for science, including decades of progress for diversifying the STEM workforce. This week, we should be celebrating the advancements NSF has contributed to over the past 75 years and looking forward to a bright and innovative 75 more years.”