Trump Administration Proposes Elimination of EPA’s Research Office

The plan to dissolve the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and cut 65% of its budget has been presented to the White House, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and public health advocates.

The EPA’s Office of Research and Development, employing over 1,500 scientists, faces potential elimination, with up to 75% of its staff laid off and remaining employees reassigned.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed a 65% budget cut for the agency, significantly reducing its capacity to monitor air and water quality, address pollution, and respond to public health crises.
Critics, including lawmakers and former EPA officials, warn that dismantling the research office would undermine the EPA’s legal mandate to use science to protect public health and the environment.
The office conducts critical research on pollutants like PFAS chemicals, air pollution, and waterborne diseases, which inform regulations safeguarding public health.
The proposal aligns with the Trump administration’s broader deregulation agenda but has been criticized as illegal, as the office was established by congressional statute.