Senators Work To Bring Accountability To The National Science Foundation

Press Release

Senators Chuck Grassley, Barbara Mikulski and Richard Shelby today introduced an amendment to bring more accountability to the National Science Foundation after the Inspector General's Semiannual Report found extensive use of NSF computers to view sexually explicit material.

Mikulski and Shelby are the chairwoman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science which oversees the NSF's budget. Grassley questioned the agency about the abuse based on information in the most recent semiannual report.

The legislation, introduced as an amendment to the stimulus package, will freeze $3 million in operating funds that go directly to the Office of the NSF Director until the agency meets the following criteria:

· submits a report to Congress detailing the steps the agency has taken to remove pornography from NSF computers;

· submits a report to Congress detailing an appropriate response to the Inspector General's Semi-Annual Report including actions taken to stop NSF employees from watching and downloading pornography; and

· require that the National Science Board, charged with oversight of the NSF, hire an independent counsel to provide oversight and enhance the board's independence rather than relying on the NSF attorney for legal advice.

"It's inexcusable that workers at the NSF were watching pornography rather than doing their jobs and respecting the taxpayers who fund their work. And, what's more troubling is a culture that would allow such widespread abuse of taxpayer dollars," Grassley said. "This legislation is a shot over the bow which sends a clear signal to NSF that Congress plans to restore oversight and accountability to the agency."

"The kind of behavior outlined in the Inspector General's report is outrageous, repugnant and illegal," Mikulski said. "It won't be tolerated. The NSF must get its act together and take the steps we've outlined to restore the kind of accountability and decency the public deserves from its federal agencies."

"The Inspector General's findings related to the use of NSF computers to view sexually explicit material are very disturbing. Such use is highly inappropriate and wasteful of the taxpayer's time and money," Shelby said. "It is absolutely critical that the Inspector General's recommendations on IT security awareness be implemented as soon as possible to prevent further incidents."

Source