After President Trump released a proposed FY 2018 budget on May 23 that would severely cut funding for scientific research, our members have been busy contacting their representatives. Through AAAS’s advocacy platform, more than 550 members sent 1,687 letters to 330 congressional offices expressing a range of views on how the budget request would impact research.
Several members shared perspectives with their communities by writing op-eds in newspapers:
- Peter Agre: A bleak future for science in the U.S.
- David Allison: A strong federal investment in science, engineering, and technology is just good sense
- Eric Fossum: My Turn: Support federal investment in science
- Hudson Freeze: Science needs continued financial support
- Rush Holt and Elias Zerhouni: President Trump’s budget proposal threatens science
- Anne Jefferson: Continued federal investment in science is critical for Lake Erie and the region
- Lawrence Krauss: Trump’s Budget: Making America Less Great
- Andy Magid: University of Oklahoma professor: Support, don't slash, federal investment in science
- Meg Urry: Trump's proposed STEM budget cuts a grave mistake
- Roy Vagelos and Shirley Tilghman: Trump’s war on science threatens U.S. prosperity
- Anthony Zador: Government’s ‘Golden Fleece’ Is Now Humanity’s Golden Goose
For many years, AAAS has been making the case for robust science funding and providing resources to scientists and science advocates to help them be the force for the science budget:
- AAAS crafted a letter to Congress that was signed by nearly 150 organizations in speaking out on the importance of federal research.
- AAAS posted a brief video and analyses at www.foreceforscience.org/sciencebudget to help scientists and science advocates better understand the budget process and details of the president’s budget proposal.
- AAAS gave members concrete steps and resources to help them advocate for science during the budget process.
- AAAS R&D Budget Program Director Matt Hourihan spoke at a May 26 Capitol Hill briefing for congressional staff on the 2018 budget.
- Hourihan and government relations expert Josh Shiode hosted a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” on June 1.
- In cooperation with other science societies, AAAS organized a Congressional district visit program over the Memorial Day congressional recess. AAAS and its partners provided training and talking points for 11 participants in 5 local districts.
- On June 9, AAAS hosted a live Trellis discussion on the budget with Hourihan, Shiode, and David Parkes.
AAAS will continue to monitor all the budget bills in Congress. The president’s proposal is just that, a proposal. Congress will determine the actual budget so there is still time to impact the 2018 funding levels. Here are a few ways you can be a force for the science budget:
- Attend our June 21 webinar on the 2018 budget featuring Hourihan.
- Share your experiences, lessons-learned, and thoughts with other members on the Trellis AAAS Force for Science group, an exclusive group for AAAS members to discuss and share advocacy news and resources.
- Visit www.forceforscience.org/sciencebudget for regular updates and ways to get involved.