(Washington, D.C.) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick sent letters to the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Science Foundation following disturbing reports of potential obstructionism within agencies’ Office of Civil Rights (OCRs). The letters seek to determine the scope of this obstructionism and to inform appropriate oversight measures to ensure OCRs are fulfilling their statutory responsibilities.
In the letters, the Chairmen emphasize that “While differing slightly in structure across agencies, OCRs play a critical role in ensuring that agencies and their funding recipients comply with federal civil rights law.” The Committee warns that any breakdown in these functions would undermine the fundamental purpose of these offices.
They also highlighted that “certain OCR leaders have actively discouraged career staff from pursuing investigations into civil rights violations involving federal grant programs,” including concerns about whether some offices have failed to review or investigate decisions made under the Biden Administration. The letters further note that some OCR leaders may be falsely claiming they lack the authority to conduct required oversight.
The Chairmen stressed that, if true, these reports “suggest a potentially troubling pattern that could compromise the integrity of civil rights enforcement across federal agencies.” The letters request detailed information on civil rights enforcement activities, whistleblower concerns, internal accountability mechanisms, and compliance reviews conducted since January 20, 2025.
Agencies are asked to respond no later than December 19, 2025.
To read the letters to each agency, please click the links below:
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration