Press Releases

Washington D.C. (February 2, 2015) | The Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight, chaired by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R –GA), will hold a hearing on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. to investigate the alleged misappropriation of taxpayer funds by the National Ecological Observatory Network Inc. (NEON) – an environmental non-profit funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

“Taxpayer money should be spent responsibly, with efficient management and oversight,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk. “If there are loopholes out there allowing unethical spending to occur, then we need to uncover this and make sure that it is no longer allowed to happen.”

The Science, Space, and Technology Committee held its first hearing to investigate the matter in December 2014. The hearing discussed the findings of two financial audits of the NEON Project conducted by NSF’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Defense Contract Audit Agency, which discovered that NEON spent taxpayer dollars on typically unallowable costs, including a Christmas party, professional lobbying, coffee services, liquor, and a trip to France.

The Subcommittee on Oversight has general and special investigative authority on all matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Established in 1958, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development. The Committee is responsible for overseeing programs at several federal agencies, including NASA, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the Federal Highway Administration – among many others. 

“The Subcommittee on Oversight plays a critical role in holding federal agencies accountable, ensuring transparency and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Loudermilk.

“With extensive experience having served as Chair of the Georgia State Senate Science and Technology Committee, Barry Loudermilk is an ideal candidate to chair the Science Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee,” said Science, Space and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). “Strategic and well-managed investments in research and development will help shape our nation’s future. This Subcommittee will play an important role in ensuring our nations’ scientific enterprise is efficient, effective and accountable. We have important work ahead of us in the 114^th Congress. The Science Committee will benefit from Rep. Loudermilk's leadership and expertise.”

The Science, Space and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight will  be webcast live at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at http://science.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-oversight-and-subcommittee-research-and-technology-joint-hearing-nsf-s#.