Lofgren in the spotlight as NSB dismissals widen rift over NSF direction; longtime CA Democrat, U.S. Rep since 1994.
The National Science Foundation has halted plans to remove or descale the Ocean Observatories Initiative, after lawmakers and scientists warned of risks to climate data, weather forecasts and coastal safety. An expert panel will assess future needs while equipment already removed will be redeployed. The move follows bipartisan pressure and a Senate bill to block decommissioning.