House Science Committee Democrats pushed for answers on possible redirection of NSF funds, slowed grantmaking, and allegations of coordination with DOGE and the White House.

Officials from NIST, NSF and DOE noted workforce challenges during a hearing to inform the National Quantum Initiative reauthorization efforts in the House.

“We just have to act like our life depends on it,” Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil said during a House hearing Wednesday.

The support also comes as House lawmakers introduced a bill that would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to add a “sandbox” for the tech at NIST.

Several of the bills have counterpart or similar measures moving forward in the Senate.

NIST would get a foundation to help it facilitate private-sector partnerships under a bill approved by the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Cuts to the agency’s ocean observation system, weather research programs, and the National Weather Service were among concerns from lawmakers.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy is “re-vectoring” its approach to upcoming guidance on securing the nation’s science and technology research and development following comment period.