Trump EPA Cuts and Layoffs Rejected by Senate Spending Panel (1)

Senate appropriators voted 26-2 Thursday to advance a bill that would block the Environmental Protection Agency from gutting its scientific research arm.

The fiscal 2026 funding measure directs EPA to keep staffing levels within the Office of Research and Development to “maintain the fiscal 2021 missions and capacities” of multiple science and environmental centers under its umbrella.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced the agency would close the office, potentially laying off hundreds of scientists and other employees.

The EPA plans to create a new Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions to replace the research and development office, “which ...