Much of the federal government is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that is set to expire on December 7, 2018. Congress has yet to pass seven of the twelve appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, including the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill, which funds the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as the … Read moreASPB Appropriations Action Alert
On November 28th, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Scott Hutchins as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics (REE), which also serves as USDA Chief Scientist. Hutchins, the former global leader of Corteva AgriScience, is an entomologist by training and … Read moreNomination Update: Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing on USDA Under Secretary of REE, Chief Scientist Nomination
Preparing graduate students and postdocs for diverse careers Changes in the workforce are challenging academia to prepare scientists to be adaptable and adept at communicating across boundaries. To meet these demands, the Plant Science Research Network (PSRN, plantae.org/PSRN) is shifting the focus to enable trainees to take ownership of their training experiences. “Since President Lincoln … Read morePlant scientists call for renewed focus on empowerment of trainees
Lewis-Burke Associates LLC – June 6, 2018 On June 6, the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing entitled, “Student Visa Integrity: Protecting Educational Opportunity and National Security.” The hearing focused on the potential threats international students and academics, particularly those from China, pose to national … Read morePolicy Update: Senate Hearing on Student Visas and National Security
On April 18, 2018, the House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). As expected, the markup was extremely partisan in nature with Democratic Members strongly opposing the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and noting the lack of transparency. Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) … Read morePolicy Update: House Agriculture Committee Approves Farm Bill
I believe science can help us develop solutions to global food insecurity. I study the effects of drought on maize roots at the University of Missouri, and I hope my findings will contribute to improving crop resilience as rainfall patterns change in the Midwest. Currently, I am represented in Congress by an anti-science politician, U.S. … Read morePlant Scientist Runs for Congress
By Lauren Broccoli (Lewis-Burke Associates) The Trump Administration released its fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget request overview this morning that did not include the National Science Foundation (NSF) and provided scant details on other research programs. While we wait on NSF and DOE budget specifics, I wanted to share USDA numbers. As expected, … Read moreFirst Look at Trump’s FY 2019 Budget Proposal
On Monday afternoon, the Senate voted to advance a Continuing Resolution (CR) to end the three-day federal government shutdown and extend funding for government programs at Fiscal Year 2017 levels through February 8. The stalemate that led to the shutdown ended after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) gave Democrats assurances that the Senate will … Read moreGovernment Shutdown Update: CR Advances
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC – November 10, 2017 On November 8, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that it is accepting recommendations for members of a new STEM[1] Education Advisory Panel. This panel will provide input to the interagency Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM), which is made up of agency leads for … Read moreAgency Update: NSF Seeks Members for STEM Education Advisory Panel
Please read the urgent request below and contact your Member of Congress regarding a harmful provision in a piece of legislation under consideration by Congress. The situation: The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering tax reform legislation, H.R. 1, that would change the way graduate student income is considered and result in large tax … Read moreAction Alert – Contact Congress to Prevent Major Tax Increase on Graduate Students
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill with a bipartisan vote of 30-1. The Senate bill would provide $31.5 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE), an increase of $718 million, or 2.3 percent, above the FY 2017 enacted level. This level of funding … Read moreAppropriations Update: Senate Appropriations Committee Approves FY 2018 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill with Bipartisan Support
On May 23, 2017, the White House released its fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget request whereby it proposed to slash funding for federal agencies that support plant science research and education. If enacted, President Trump’s FY 2018 budget would have a catastrophic impact on plant science and the broader U.S. enterprise of scientific innovation. The … Read moreASPB Statement on Trump’s FY 2018 Budget Proposal
This week, House and Senate congressional leaders reached an agreement on a fiscal year (FY) 2017 omnibus appropriations bill. This bill will fund the entire federal government through the remainder of FY 2017. Despite White House FY 2018 proposals to cut funding for many science agencies, Congress has decided instead to protect and, in some … Read moreTell Congress To Support Plant Science Funding By Passing FY 2017 Omnibus
Last evening, the Senate voted 87-11 to confirm Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture. Despite being one of the last cabinet nominees named, Perdue experienced a relatively easy confirmation process with considerable bipartisan support. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) used floor debate prior to the vote to endorse the candidate. The Trump … Read moreSonny Perdue Confirmed as Agriculture Secretary
Over the weekend thousands of scientists and supporters of science across the world took part in March for Science events from Washington, DC to Sydney, Australia. (Please see community statement, which ASPB joined, applauding the March for Science.) Plant scientists and ASPB staff marched in support of the countless contributions science has made and will … Read moreMarch for Science – the next steps
Are you planning to join us for the March for Science in Washington, DC this Saturday? We have designated 2 meet up locations and times. One at 9 AM and another one at 1:30 PM. If you plan to meet us, please look for our ASPB banner! ASPB timeline for Saturday, April 22 9:00 AM MEETUP #1: … Read moreMarch for Science – Washington DC meet up information
One way or another, the work we do as plant biologists has a positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants. And whether these impacts are direct or indirect, our research matters. But too often and for far too long the roles of science in society have been obscure, unseen, and unheralded. Let’s do something … Read moreLet’s March!
Lewis-Burke Associates LLC – March 24, 2017 On March 16, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing to discuss agricultural research programs and priorities: one of a series of hearings to examine all titles of the next farm bill. Witnesses included Dr. Jay Akridge, Dean of the College of Agriculture … Read moreHearing Update: House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Holds Hearing to Discuss Agricultural Research
Central to the global scientific and innovation enterprise is the principle of free and open scientific exchange. Researchers need to be able to attend meetings, host international collaborators and educators, and attract the best graduate and postdoctoral trainees and job candidates. On January 27, 2017, the Trump Administration issued an executive order entitled “Protecting the … Read moreScientific Community Responds to President Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration
Lewis-Burke Associates LLC – January 23, 2017 On January 18, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senate EPW) held a confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Partisan divisions were apparent from the outset, with Senate EPW Members clashing with … Read moreHearing Update: Senate Environment Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for EPA Administrator Nominee