Senior House Democrats are demanding that NOAA provide internal documents and emails on the February firings of about 800 probationary employees.
In a letter to acting Administrator Laura Grimm, the ranking members of the Science, Space and Technology Committee and two subcommittees say Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency pressured NOAA’s then-senior leader, Vice Adm. Nancy Hann, to sign termination orders.
“We have obtained new information that points to pernicious external control over NOAA,” the letter from Democrats Zoe Lofgren of California, Gabe Amo of Rhode Island and Emilia Sykes of Ohio. “We intend to investigate the nature of this external control, identify the source of it, and ensure that it can no longer threaten NOAA’s ability to promote safety, prosperity, and scientific advancement.”
A spokesperson for the Democrats said the lawmakers aren’t accusing NOAA or Commerce Department officials of violating federal laws, regulations or agency ethics codes. Rather, they object that the firing order did not rest with NOAA’s most senior career official, but people in outside or subordinate positions.
