Press Release: Foster Leads Letter Requesting Job Loss Numbers Caused by Trump Budget at Science Agencies, Universities, and Laboratories

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) led a letter to the heads of federal science agencies, including the Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The letter was signed by fifty-five Members of Congress.

"Our country risks huge job losses if the President's budget is enacted, and jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) will be particularly hard hit. I have serious concerns about the effects of this budget on our country's national labs, universities, and science agencies," Foster said. "If these funding levels become a reality, our country's leadership in science and innovation would be permanently damaged."

The text of the letter is available here. Information on anticipated job losses at Laboratories and Universities is typically prepared as part of the normal budget process, but the Trump Administration has chosen not to release this information regarding their FY18 Budget Request. The letter requests a response from the agencies by June 15, 2017.

###