ASPB Statement on Trump’s FY 2018 Budget Proposal

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 more

Tell Congress To Support Plant Science Funding By Passing FY 2017 Omnibus

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 more

Sonny Perdue Confirmed as Agriculture Secretary

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 more

March for Science – the next steps

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 more