October 15, 2021
New science policy engagement program; applications open now!
AGU is piloting a new program, Local Science Partners, that will cement sciences’ place in decision-making by empowering AGU members to build trusting, sustainable partnerships with policymakers. AGU’s new program will pair AGU members with their legislators and provide AGU member partners the tools, resources and training to build sustainable relationships with their legislators. The goal of Local Science Partners is to advance AGU’s policy agenda and diversify sciences’ Congressional …
October 13, 2021
AGU sends letter to Congressional leadership urging strong funding for science in the infrastructure and budget reconciliation packages
On 5 October 2021, AGU sent Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer applauding strong funding for research infrastructure and urged Congress to maintain funding for all science agencies. On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our community of 130,000 worldwide in the Earth and space sciences, I’d like to applaud the strong funding allocation for research infrastructure and associated research and development activities in the current House reconciliation package. …
AGU endorses the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act
On 13 October 2021, AGU sent a letter to Representatives Matt Cartwright, Bryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Mast, and Eleanor Holmes Norton endorsing the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act (H.R. 2761). On behalf of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and our community of 130,000 worldwide in the Earth and space sciences, I am writing to thank you for reintroducing the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act (H.R.2761) and to offer AGU’s official endorsement for this important …
September 29, 2021
Welcome our 2021-2022 Congressional Science Fellow Sarah Alexander
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) is pleased to announce its newest Congressional Science Fellow, Dr. Sarah Alexander. Now in its 44nd year, AGU’s Congressional Science Fellow program places highly qualified and accomplished scientists, engineers, and other professionals in the office of an individual member of Congress or on a committee for a one-year assignment. Dr. Alexander, who started her fellowship in September, has been placed within the office of Sen. Tina Smith (MN). Sarah Alexander is no …
August 30, 2021
AGU joins letter supporting visas for scientists fleeing Afghanistan
On 25 August 2021, AGU joined other professional societies asking the White House Office of Science, Technology, and Policy for P-2 visas for scientists and members of the STEM community fleeing Afghanistan. Dear Dr. Lander, As you know, the Taliban represent an immediate threat to the safety of anyone in Afghanistan connected with the western world. This includes engineers, scientists and technical professionals, many of whom are trying …
July 21, 2021
Federal budget sees movement in Congress Part 3; see highlights for NIEHS and DOE
On 15 July, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill on a 33-25 vote. This bill includes FY22 spending levels for the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies bill was approved the following day (16 July) on a 33-24 vote. The bill in question includes FY22 spending levels for the Department of Energy (DOE). In this post, we’ll detail the House’s proposed …
Federal budget sees movement in Congress Part 2; see highlights for NOAA, NASA, and NSF
On 15 July, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill on a 33-26 vote. This bill includes FY22 spending levels for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). In this post, we’ll detail the House’s proposed spending and programmatic highlights for those science agencies. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Budget (rounded to the nearest million) FY21 FY22 President’s Budget Request (PBR) FY22 House Appropriations Percent …
July 20, 2021
AGU sends letter on spectrum issues to House Science committee leadership
On 20 July 2021, AGU, The American Meteorological Society, and the National Weather Association sent a letter to leadership on the House Science, Space, and Technology committee thanking them for their ongoing support on spectrum and 5G issues. Dear Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas, Thank you for your ongoing leadership to preserve diverse spectrum resources to sustain and advance crucial environmental information and forecasting. We appreciate that …
July 12, 2021
Federal budget sees movement in Congress Part 1; see highlights for USGS, EPA, and Forest Service
On 1 July 2021, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill on a 32-24 vote. This bill includes FY22 spending levels for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and part of the U.S. Forest Service. In this post, we’ll detail the House’s proposed spending and programmatic highlights for those science agencies. United States Geological Survey (USGS) …
June 30, 2021
AGU and other science societies express the evidence-based urgency of boldly addressing climate change and encourage Congress to act quickly
On 30 June 2021, AGU and 48 other scientific societies sent a letter to leadership in Congress expressing urgency for bold action on climate change. Dear Members of Congress, The undersigned major scientific organizations write to express the evidence-based urgency of boldly addressing climate change and encourage you to act quickly. Observations throughout the world make it clear climate change is occurring and rapidly intensifying. Rigorous scientific research …
