Ranking Members Lofgren and Stevens Demand Answers on Terminated SMART USA Institute

December 17, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Haley Stevens (D-MI) sent a letter to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acting Under Secretary Craig Burkhardt demanding an explanation for the termination of SMART USA Institute, a semiconductor research and development program authorized by Congress through the CHIPS and Science Act. “We worry that NIST’s arbitrary and capricious decisions to terminate its financial commitments will shake confidence among its current and future partners, even long after this Administration leaves office,” the Ranking Members wrote in their letter . “NIST has a reputation as a neutral and steadfast partner that can work with any industry and academic organization. This reputation is very much at risk. Few companies would willingly seek partnership with an organization that cancels its obligations on a whim." The letter can be found here . ### Issues : Innovation and Technology