Scientists Visit Congressional Offices, Encourage Funding Support for R&D

More than 200 scientists, mathematicians and engineers from around the United States arrived in Washington, D.C. at a time of economic uncertainty: President Barack Obama had made a series of strong statements in support of science, but the economic climate was grim and the White House had yet to release its proposed budget for research and development. The scientists and engineers were there to visit members of Congress and to urge their support for science, but it was hard to know exactly what to say.

In search of guidance, they attended a AAAS briefing on the outlook for R&D in the fiscal year 2010 budget and the pressures facing Congress. The orientation was part of the 14th annual Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day, organized and sponsored by 35 science societies and advocacy groups. The event usually occurs after the presidential administration releases a budget request, but this year the budget request had not been released as of 29 April when the group visited Congress.

Instead of responding to a proposed budget, participants needed to consider the presidential administration's science and technology priorities, said Joanne Carney, director of the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress. "They should build on the positive vision and encourage members of Congress to build on that vision," said Carney, who organizes the AAAS briefing each year.

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