Pallone: Trump’s Budget Freeze Threatens Marine Research at Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook – Congressman Frank Pallone is calling out President Trump for blocking critical funding and imposing a hiring freeze at NOAA’s Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sandy Hook, putting vital marine research and operations at risk. The move threatens the region’s commercial and recreational fishing industry, which depends on healthy fish stocks. 

“The Trump administration’s politically motivated decisions are putting good jobs and critical research in my district at risk,” Pallone said. “This is bad news for fishermen and everyone who has a job dependent on the Jersey Shore. Without immediate action, the lab’s seawater system could fail by April, shutting down research on fish and shellfish that benefits the entire nation. This is a direct attack on New Jersey scientists working to protect our oceans and coastal communities.”

Key Impacts at the Sandy Hook Lab:

• IRA funds frozen – $5 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding is unavailable, halting key purchases and contracts and forcing alternative funding sources for staff salaries.
• Seawater system at risk – The lab’s seawater supply infrastructure, essential for the Lab’s core function, was set to be rehabilitated using IRA funds that Pallone fought for. The halting of IRA funds means the system is in jeopardy of total failure by April when contracts for critical maintenance staff expire. The fragile system must now be manually shut down each night when maintenance staff leaves.
• International research stalled – A sudden halt to international correspondence has thrown multiple projects into limbo, disrupting partnerships with key global organizations.
• Hiring freeze impacts mission– Critical vacancies remain unfilled, significantly weakening the lab’s ability to conduct experiments on live fish and shellfish.
• Job security concerns – Employees in their probationary periods face uncertainty after the administration collected their names, raising fears of termination. A key supervisory role is at risk, jeopardizing lab leadership.
• INFISH Program canceled – A program to address the impacts of environmental change on marine habitats and fisheries surrounding Sandy Hook that was supported with $480,000 in federal Community Project Funding that Pallone secured has been eliminated. The research was conducted by underrepresented minority researchers, further supporting the region’s economy and resilience.
• Employee support groups disbanded – Three employee resource groups for women, LGBTQ+ staff, and racial minorities have been terminated, removing important spaces for staff to share experiences and address workplace concerns.

Pallone has been a longtime champion of federal funding for marine research and coastal resilience efforts. He is pushing to release the IRA and other federal funds and protect NOAA staff’s ability to conduct research in Sandy Hook and beyond. Last week, Pallone blasted Elon Musk’s takeover of NOAA offices.