ASM Encourages Congressional Consensus on Science Policy
On Sept. 20, 2021, ASM issued the following letter to Congressional leaders encouraging the House and Senate to work together to quickly reach consensus on recently-passed science and technology legislation.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell:
°®¶¹´«Ã½ (ASM) appreciates recent bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure robust and sustained support for research and innovation in an increasingly competitive global environment. As Congress returns for the fall session, ASM strongly encourages the House and Senate to work together to quickly reach consensus on recently-passed science and technology legislation, including the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and the National Science Foundation for the Future Act. Ideally, the conferenced legislation will result in a sustainable research and innovation strategy capable of tackling ongoing and emerging societal challenges.
Recent disruptions to the broader research enterprise and our failure to modernize the research facilities that support it will have long-term consequences if not addressed, and will impede our ability to address ongoing and emerging challenges such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance and the safety of our food supply. As we continue to grapple with a deadly pandemic and face daunting challenges such as global climate change, ASM applauds efforts to restore science to its rightful place in the development and implementation of policies that affect human health and the world around us. A viable future for our planet depends on science and technology, and microbiologists will play a key role.
To that end, we thank you for taking the initiative to increase funding for scientific research and bolster the scientific workforce. The Senate’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the House’s National Science Foundation for the Future Act will each enact a meaningful expansion of NSF’s portfolio with new capabilities to add to the impact of the funding, invest in our National Laboratories, increase emphasis on critical technology areas, and provide substantial support for the scientific workforce, breaking down systemic barriers to progress. As you work toward a conference agreement on these bills, ASM strongly encourages you to consider the following provisions, which have either passed the House or the Senate:
Reauthorize the National Science Foundation at the levels proposed in the NSF for the Future Act. In order to sustain growth and rise to 21st Century challenges, existing NSF directorates must receive regular, significant increases in funding across the board. ASM strongly encourages the committee to authorize NSF Research and Related Activities at $10,025,000,000 for FY2022; $11,870,000,000 for FY2023; $13,050,000,000 for FY2024; $14,000,000,000 for FY2025; and $14,800,000,000 for FY2026, ensuring adequate funding increases year over year for the existing directorates as well ample funding for a new, innovation-focused directorate.
Include the Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021. The bioeconomy, which includes all products, processes and services, based on renewable biological resources, represents a significant and growing sector of the global economy as well as an important tool to combat climate change. However, unlike other nations, the U.S. has not developed a cross-sector plan for the bioeconomy. This bill would direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to take the lead on bioeconomy coordination across government agencies.
Address ongoing science and technology workforce issues by including the Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science Act and provisions to address racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion in the scientific workforce. People of color, women and people with disabilities continue to encounter systemic barriers to full representation in the STEM workforce. ASM applauds the continued efforts of Congress to shine a light on the pervasive problem of sexual harassment in the science, technology, engineering and mathematical fields, and to discuss actions the federal government can initiate to support efforts to prevent and respond to sexual harassment. We strongly support the inclusion of the Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science Act in this legislation.
However, harassment and discrimination are not limited to sexual harassment, and we urge Congress to enact provisions to combat discrimination against all underrepresented minorities in STEM. Federal science agencies must embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in science because doing so leads to better science and greater scientific advancement. In order to improve the recruitment, advancement and retention of underrepresented minorities in STEM, we ask you to include the STEM Opportunities Act; the MSI STEM Achievement Act; and additional provisions to support additional capacity in STEM at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions.
Balance Access, Security and Ethical Stewardship of Research Data. We appreciate Congress’s recognition that access, security and ethical stewardship of federally-funded research are paramount. There is an urgent need for investments at the federal level to create sustainable cross-disciplinary repositories of information and to provide a space for researchers to communicate about ongoing bench work that cuts across agencies and funding streams. ASM supports efforts to ensure that NSF coordinates with the stakeholder community in developing trusted open data repositories, accounting for discipline-specific needs and with necessary protections for sensitive information.
Provisions Related to Research Security and Pathogen Research. In addition to ensuring the provisions above are included in a final, negotiated bill, we urge caution in other areas such as those focused on research security and research related to pathogens. Global collaboration is an essential component of microbiology today, as it is with many scientific disciplines. ASM members around the world are working to improve lives through research on human and animal health, agriculture, energy, the environment and biothreats; and addressing pressing global public health challenges such as Ebola, HIV, TB and SARS-CoV-2. It is important that policies related to research security when working internationally strike the appropriate balance between national security and an open, collaborative scientific environment.
The similarities between U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the NSF for the Future Act are more significant than the differences, which we encourage you to speedily and constructively resolve. As we continue to grapple with a deadly pandemic and face daunting challenges such as global climate change, ASM applauds efforts to restore science to its rightful place in the development and implementation of policies that affect human health and the world around us. A viable future for our planet depends on science and technology, and microbiologists will play a key role. On behalf of ASM and its members, thank you again for introducing this important legislation. We stand ready to assist you as the legislative process moves forward.
Sincerely,
Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ph.D.
Chair, Public and Scientific Affairs Committee
American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader Schumer and Leader McConnell:
°®¶¹´«Ã½ (ASM) appreciates recent bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure robust and sustained support for research and innovation in an increasingly competitive global environment. As Congress returns for the fall session, ASM strongly encourages the House and Senate to work together to quickly reach consensus on recently-passed science and technology legislation, including the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and the National Science Foundation for the Future Act. Ideally, the conferenced legislation will result in a sustainable research and innovation strategy capable of tackling ongoing and emerging societal challenges.
Recent disruptions to the broader research enterprise and our failure to modernize the research facilities that support it will have long-term consequences if not addressed, and will impede our ability to address ongoing and emerging challenges such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance and the safety of our food supply. As we continue to grapple with a deadly pandemic and face daunting challenges such as global climate change, ASM applauds efforts to restore science to its rightful place in the development and implementation of policies that affect human health and the world around us. A viable future for our planet depends on science and technology, and microbiologists will play a key role.
To that end, we thank you for taking the initiative to increase funding for scientific research and bolster the scientific workforce. The Senate’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the House’s National Science Foundation for the Future Act will each enact a meaningful expansion of NSF’s portfolio with new capabilities to add to the impact of the funding, invest in our National Laboratories, increase emphasis on critical technology areas, and provide substantial support for the scientific workforce, breaking down systemic barriers to progress. As you work toward a conference agreement on these bills, ASM strongly encourages you to consider the following provisions, which have either passed the House or the Senate:
Reauthorize the National Science Foundation at the levels proposed in the NSF for the Future Act. In order to sustain growth and rise to 21st Century challenges, existing NSF directorates must receive regular, significant increases in funding across the board. ASM strongly encourages the committee to authorize NSF Research and Related Activities at $10,025,000,000 for FY2022; $11,870,000,000 for FY2023; $13,050,000,000 for FY2024; $14,000,000,000 for FY2025; and $14,800,000,000 for FY2026, ensuring adequate funding increases year over year for the existing directorates as well ample funding for a new, innovation-focused directorate.
Include the Bioeconomy Research and Development Act of 2021. The bioeconomy, which includes all products, processes and services, based on renewable biological resources, represents a significant and growing sector of the global economy as well as an important tool to combat climate change. However, unlike other nations, the U.S. has not developed a cross-sector plan for the bioeconomy. This bill would direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to take the lead on bioeconomy coordination across government agencies.
Address ongoing science and technology workforce issues by including the Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science Act and provisions to address racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion in the scientific workforce. People of color, women and people with disabilities continue to encounter systemic barriers to full representation in the STEM workforce. ASM applauds the continued efforts of Congress to shine a light on the pervasive problem of sexual harassment in the science, technology, engineering and mathematical fields, and to discuss actions the federal government can initiate to support efforts to prevent and respond to sexual harassment. We strongly support the inclusion of the Combatting Sexual Harassment in Science Act in this legislation.
However, harassment and discrimination are not limited to sexual harassment, and we urge Congress to enact provisions to combat discrimination against all underrepresented minorities in STEM. Federal science agencies must embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in science because doing so leads to better science and greater scientific advancement. In order to improve the recruitment, advancement and retention of underrepresented minorities in STEM, we ask you to include the STEM Opportunities Act; the MSI STEM Achievement Act; and additional provisions to support additional capacity in STEM at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions.
Balance Access, Security and Ethical Stewardship of Research Data. We appreciate Congress’s recognition that access, security and ethical stewardship of federally-funded research are paramount. There is an urgent need for investments at the federal level to create sustainable cross-disciplinary repositories of information and to provide a space for researchers to communicate about ongoing bench work that cuts across agencies and funding streams. ASM supports efforts to ensure that NSF coordinates with the stakeholder community in developing trusted open data repositories, accounting for discipline-specific needs and with necessary protections for sensitive information.
Provisions Related to Research Security and Pathogen Research. In addition to ensuring the provisions above are included in a final, negotiated bill, we urge caution in other areas such as those focused on research security and research related to pathogens. Global collaboration is an essential component of microbiology today, as it is with many scientific disciplines. ASM members around the world are working to improve lives through research on human and animal health, agriculture, energy, the environment and biothreats; and addressing pressing global public health challenges such as Ebola, HIV, TB and SARS-CoV-2. It is important that policies related to research security when working internationally strike the appropriate balance between national security and an open, collaborative scientific environment.
The similarities between U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the NSF for the Future Act are more significant than the differences, which we encourage you to speedily and constructively resolve. As we continue to grapple with a deadly pandemic and face daunting challenges such as global climate change, ASM applauds efforts to restore science to its rightful place in the development and implementation of policies that affect human health and the world around us. A viable future for our planet depends on science and technology, and microbiologists will play a key role. On behalf of ASM and its members, thank you again for introducing this important legislation. We stand ready to assist you as the legislative process moves forward.
Sincerely,
Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ph.D.
Chair, Public and Scientific Affairs Committee
American Society for °®¶¹´«Ã½
