Rep. Chu Responds to Additional Jet Propulsion Lab Layoffs

PASADENA, CA - Today, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a NASA Center that is administered by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), will reduce its workforce by about 325 employees, or approximately 5 percent of its total staff, through layoffs, following an assessment of its funding.0

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), whose district includes JPL and Caltech, released the following statement:

"I'm once again disappointed with hundreds of JPL layoffs announced today, coming on the heels of hundreds of others earlier this year, and my thoughts are with the dedicated, experienced workers who will be impacted. I have been a steadfast champion of JPL as a national asset which has helped us accomplish some of the greatest feats in space and science for decades. Every layoff devastates the uniquely talented workers and their loved ones and threatens future scientific discoveries. NASA Science missions continue to unlock some of the greatest questions humankind has, inspire the world, and demonstrate American leadership in technology. We must work to accomplish the highest priorities of the Decadal Surveys, and Congress must unite to support our national assets, people, and missions that enable these discoveries. It is my sincerest hope that the layoffs will cease with stable funding moving forward, and I'm helping lead the fight with my colleagues in Congress to ensure we provide the necessary funding in upcoming spending bills to fully support our vital missions and promote the kinds of scientific discovery JPL has been on the frontlines of for decades."

In February 2024, Rep. Chu expressed similar extreme disappointment with the previous layoffs of 530 JPL employees.