It has been another tumultuous spring at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The science community is actively requesting a Senate confirmation hearing for Jim O’Neill, the Trump Administration’s pick for NSF Director — historically approved in executive session. FABBS and colleagues continue to share the critical importance of both the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate — proposed for elimination in the President’s fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget — and the National Science Board (NSB), following the recent dismissal of all its members.
NSF Director Nominee
On March 2, Jim O’Neill’s nomination was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and colleagues on the committee have recently confirmed receiving his nomination materials. Under the NSF Act of 1950, the NSF director requires presidential appointment and Senate confirmation. The community recognizes that, historically, directors have been advanced through executive session votes without a full hearing. The level of disruption at NSF is unprecedented and in dire need of congressional oversight. Furthermore, previous directors were known to the community through prior service on the NSB and leadership roles in academia. The hearing process would provide Members of Congress (MOCs) and the broad scientific community the opportunity to learn more about O’Neill and his vision for NSF.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) chairs the committee and will be key in deciding whether or not to hold a confirmation hearing, as opposed to a vote in executive session. It is worth noting that on May 16, Senator Cassidy lost his primary race. He was edged out of the run-off by his Trump endorsed opponent. Advocates will be interested to see if, now that the primary is behind him, Senator Cassidy will be more willing to move forward with a confirmation hearing.
FABBS is working with our sister coalition, the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA), to meet with members of the HELP Committee to request a confirmation hearing. The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), of which FABBS’ Executive Director is the co-chair, also sent a community sign-on letter from over 50 organizations to HELP Committee leadership. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) followed up with a separate letter.
SBE Directorate
FABBS is working to ensure congressional offices are aware of the president’s proposal to eliminate the SBE Directorate at NSF. We are focused on communicating the value of SBE-funded research as it relates to legislative priorities and urging MOCs to ask NSF leadership about the Directorate. A confirmation hearing would be the perfect opportunity to do so. The Computing Research Association (CRA) organized a community sign-on letter sent to congressional appropriators, calling for full funding for NSF and the preservation of the SBE Directorate. FABBS is also engaged with congressional offices to explore budget and legislative protections for SBE, as well as the legality of the proposed elimination.
National Science Board
In the wake of the abrupt dismissal of the 22 members of the NSB (see FABBS reporting here), Senate and House Democrats are demanding answers. Senators Edward Markey (MA) and Maria Cantwell (WA), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led a letter to President Trump and Brian Stone, NSF Chief of Staff, regarding their concern about the dismissal. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Science, Manufacturing, and Competitiveness, penned a similar letter, stating that the decision “risks undermining the integrity of the NSF and our nation’s global leadership in research and innovation.” Both Senate letters specifically called out a report the board was expected to release, which included an introductory document about the U.S. ceding scientific ground to China. The document, according to Science, detailed statistics about China overtaking the U.S. in global research spending and being outpaced in innovation by foreign companies. In the House, Democrats on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, led by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), also sent a letter to the President, condemning the terminations.
The scientific community is also rallying together in support of the NSB. The organization Stand Up For Science, joined by over 1,000 members of the National Academies, sent an open letter demanding Congress restore the NSB. The letter reinforces the importance of independent, apolitical oversight and expertise for the American scientific enterprise.
