Rong Li, ASCB’s President, sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate decrying the recent “Friday Night Massacre,” in which all current members of the National Science Board (NSB) were immediately relieved of their duties.
In her letter to Senators John Thune and Chuck Schumer, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, and Representatives Steve Scalise and Hakeem Jeffries, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House, Li recalled the original creation of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NSB that oversees it. In 1945, while outlining the recommendations that ultimately led to the creation of both the NSF and NSB, Dr. Vannevar Bush wrote, “Scientific progress is one essential key to our security as a nation, to our better health, to more jobs, to a higher standard of living, and to our cultural progress.”
The letter argues that the dismissal of the NSB members was only the latest in a series of actions targeting the NSF, including proposed budget reductions of more than 50 percent, the dismissal of large portions of the NSF workforce, the removal of the NSF and NSB from their offices, and the late-night dismissal of all current NSB members.
Li called on Congress “to resolve any constitutional issues that may arise with the National Science Board as a result of United States v. Arthrex, Inc., which raised questions about the appointment authority of certain federal officials. We also urge Congress to act immediately to restore the Board’s full membership and ensure the NSF’s future independence from political interference.”
About the Author:
Kevin M. Wilson serves as Vice President, Policy, Governance and Partnerships for The American Society for Cell Biology. He's worked as the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand (D-RI) and as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI). He has a BA in Politics and American Government from the Catholic University of America. Email: kwilson@ascb.org
