Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the research office’s work is supposed to be uniquely protected from politics. It provides essential science, such as risk assessments for chemicals that pose health threats.
The office, for example, did widespread testing that detailed high levels of harmful forever chemicals in the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, threatening drinking water, Bennett said.
“It’s very clear this administration is incredibly hostile to science,” she said.