Energy Secretary Chris Wright faced a challenging audience on May 7, 2025, as he defended President Donald Trump’s budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) during a House Appropriations Committee hearing. Wright insisted that the DOE, along with its 17 national laboratories, is capable of achieving more with less funding. "We can both increase efficiency and drive innovation," he stated, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing research that supports significant technological advancements, such as nuclear fusion, high-performance computing, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, to maintain America's global competitiveness.
However, his testimony was met with skepticism. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), chair of the House Energy-Water Appropriations Subcommittee, expressed concerns about the proposed budget cuts. He highlighted a significant reduction for the Office of Science, which would see its budget slashed to approximately $7 billion, reverting to levels not seen in five years. While acknowledging the strong support for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in the budget, Fleischmann stressed the need for the proposed 25% budget increase, amounting to $6 billion, to be included as part of NNSA’s base discretionary budget request rather than relying on the reconciliation process.
“It is imperative that we fully commit to the continued modernization of our nuclear weapons complex in order to rebuild our capacity, increase our capability, and respond more quickly to today’s global security landscape,” Fleischmann said, underscoring the importance of maintaining national security.
In stark contrast, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the top Democrat on the subcommittee, vehemently criticized the budget proposal. She pointed out a “devastating 74% cut to energy efficiency and renewable energy,” which she described as “not just short-sighted, it is dangerous.” Kaptur accused the DOE of suspending critical energy programs, canceling executed awards and contracts authorized by Congress, and severely reducing staffing levels, including the removal of the Inspector General responsible for overseeing the department’s activities.
“Since January, the Department of Energy has suspended critical energy programs, canceled executed awards and contracts authorized by this Congress, severely reduced staffing, including removal of the Inspector General who tries to go after the crooks, and changed contracting policies,” Kaptur asserted. She also criticized Wright for failing to respond to multiple letters from Congress that sought clarification on the department’s funding freezes and staffing changes.
In response to Kaptur’s accusations, Wright firmly denied that the DOE had frozen funding, stating, "We don’t have a single unpaid invoice at our department, not one." He acknowledged, however, that the department plans to review “hundreds” of projects, a move that raised eyebrows among lawmakers. When asked why the department was reviewing projects that had already been approved and funded, Wright cited the rushed funding allocations made by the Biden administration prior to Trump’s inauguration.
Wright explained that the review process would be based on criteria such as the viability of the technology, marketability, job creation potential, and alignment with national security objectives. Kaptur challenged the rationale behind the review, questioning why funds that were already allocated were subject to further scrutiny. “This is a very strange process, because those dollars were to be spent already as we work toward the [FY26] budget,” she remarked.
Wright’s testimony also addressed staffing concerns, as he noted that less than 1,000 employees had left the DOE since January 2025. However, he acknowledged that more departures were expected in the coming months, primarily due to voluntary early retirement and resignation programs. “We’ve been given a mandate from the whole administration to look like a businessman at all the departments and figure out how you can deliver improved services at lower cost inefficiencies,” he explained, advocating for a leaner, more focused team to enhance results.
Media reports have indicated that the DOE has made two deferred resignation offers to its staff since January, which has led to the departure of over 3,000 employees. This trend raises questions about the department’s ability to maintain its workforce and fulfill its mission.
In a separate initiative, the DOE is also working to foster the next generation of scientists and engineers. This summer, 1,049 undergraduate students and 90 faculty members will participate in hands-on research and technical training at DOE national laboratories, including a fusion facility. This program aims to ensure the United States has a highly skilled scientific workforce capable of tackling energy, economic, and national security challenges.
Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the DOE Office of Science, expressed pride in providing opportunities for students and educators to engage with the DOE and its national labs. “When students are able to experience working in a laboratory, they have a better understanding of what their careers could be. We are excited to encourage new researchers on their paths to helping us solve the world’s challenges,” she stated.
The summer cohort includes 914 undergraduate students from two- and four-year colleges and universities, along with 135 community college students. These participants are part of the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) and Community College Internships (CCI) programs. The students hail from 389 academic institutions across 44 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, 90 faculty members from 73 U.S. colleges and universities will collaborate with national lab research staff through the Visiting Faculty Program (VFP), with 28 students joining faculty awardees on collaborative research projects.
These initiatives reflect the DOE’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation in the scientific community, even as it navigates budgetary challenges and workforce reductions. As the department continues to face scrutiny from lawmakers, the broader implications of its budget decisions and staffing strategies will undoubtedly shape the future of energy research and development in the United States.
