In a press release issued by the U.S. Representatives April McClain Delaney (D-Md.); Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.); and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), the three led 19 of their Congressional colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick pressing for further explanation on the Trump Administration’s termination of probationary employees and its planned reduction in force (RIF) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which operates campuses in Gaithersburg, Md. and Boulder, Colo.
Over its 125-year history, the agency has supported critical programs that have advanced American industrial competitiveness and improved Americans’ quality of life. NIST is highly regarded around the world, representing the gold standard for measurement science, research and innovation.
According to recent reports, the Administration has already laid off more than 70 probationary employees at NIST and might target additional probationary scientists, postdoctoral researchers and other staff authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act.
These developments could have implications for industrial manufacturing, posing potential challenges in maintaining standards, quality control and innovation—all of which are necessary for competitive manufacturing in the current global market.
The letter notes that the work NIST is engaged in—especially areas such as artificial intelligence (AI)—has been important for U.S. industry and government operations. Eliminating these resources or expertise could hinder innovation and competitiveness in the industrial sector.
“We write to express our serious concern with the Administration’s recent termination of probationary employees and its planned reduction in force (RIF) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),” the lawmakers began. “These potential changes come on the heels of the deferred resignation program, which already is affecting the capacity of the NIST to fulfill its statutory obligations. Removing national and international leaders from the nonpartisan and professional civil service at NIST would hamper the development of critical standards, threaten industrial and consumer safety, and weaken American leadership around the world.”
They continued: “Jeopardizing the scientific research, standards development, and global leadership provided by NIST would lead to numerous negative consequences: consumer and industrial standards would be undermined, American leadership would be abandoned, and our adversaries would be given more opportunities to advance their interests against our own. We call on the Administration to reverse course, reinstate all separated employees, and take a more thoughtful and pragmatic approach to governing.”
In their letter, the lawmakers press for answers to the following:
- How will your plan for a reduction in force at NIST affect the agency across mission areas? Please provide details by campus, office, and project. Please include the projected impact on NIST facilities if personnel responsible for utilities and physical maintenance are fired.
- What is the long-term plan to retain scientists and researchers to ensure that research and projects across mission areas are not jeopardized? Please provide details by campus, office, and project.
- How will your plan for a reduction in force at NIST affect the participation of NIST staff in international standards setting? Provide details by standards development organization, leadership positions affected, and topic (e.g., AI standards development in ISO/IEC 42001).
- How will the reduction in force at NIST impact the global arms race in AI, quantum information science, and semiconductor design, development, and production?
