WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, reacted to reports that the Trump Administration is displacing over 1,800 National Science Foundation (NSF) employees from their headquarters building in order to accommodate luxury upgrades ordered by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner.

“The Trump Administration’s displacement of over 1,800 National Science Foundation employees from its headquarters with no place to go, adds insult to injury when the Administration is pushing a 55 percent cut to NSF’s budget,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Talk about waste, fraud, and abuse—the HUD Secretary’s desire to have a gold-plated office and gym, and special treatment for his family is not how taxpayer money should be spent. We should be investing in our scientists and innovation to make America globally competitive. I will fight to make sure NSF workers are protected and that we invest in their important work.”

According to news reports and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), HUD’s takeover of the NSF building involves plans for several luxury upgrades for HUD Secretary Scott Turner, including:

• A dedicated executive suite for the HUD Secretary on the 19th floor.
• The construction of an executive dining room.
• Reserved parking spaces for the Secretary’s 5 cars.
• Exclusive use of one elevator for the Secretary.
• A space dedicated to hosting the Secretary’s executive assistants on the 18th floor.
• A potential gym for the HUD Secretary and his family.