US lawmakers fight Trump administration cuts to $386m ocean monitoring program: ‘supreme stupidity’
Summary
A group of U.S. lawmakers is opposing the National Science Foundation’s plan to remove most instruments from the $386 million Ocean Observatories Initiative. They argue the decision was made without proper review or consultation and could harm important ocean and climate research.Key Facts
- The Ocean Observatories Initiative has over 900 sensors monitoring oceans, climate, and marine life.
- It cost $386 million and has informed more than 500 scientific studies over the past decade.
- The National Science Foundation plans to remove most sensors by 2027 to focus on new priorities.
- Lawmakers say the move was made without warning or scientific review and may be illegal.
- Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Lisa Murkowski led a letter demanding a review and halt to the removal.
- House science committees also sent a letter calling the action expensive, destructive, and illegal.
- The NSF said the decision was partly based on a report about future ocean science needs and remains committed to the field.
- The cuts are part of broader reductions in environmental research under President Trump’s administration.
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