Representative John Culberson (R–TX) is less than impressed with the performance of the White House science office under President Obama and would like to see it downsized, according to an article from Science Magazine. Culberson chairs the commerce, justice, and science (CJS) appropriations subcommittee that oversees the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), which is led by John Holdren, the president’s science adviser. Holdren also co-chairs the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).
According to the article, Culberson isays that he would “be hard-pressed to identify any tangible, specific accomplishments or achievements” by the science office. Culberson reportedly also takes issue with the size of the OSTP staff and operation. The heads of 29 scientific and academic organizations reportedly appealed to Trump last week to maintain the status of the office and to promptly appoint a successor to Holden, according to Science.
Read the complete interview with Culberson here.