
Research Funding Legislation
Dear Alaska Local Section Members:
Congress is hoping to finish work on the America COMPETES/United States Innovation and Competition Act by the end of July. This large bill is a rare opportunity for Congress to set funding levels and restructure various research agencies. This legislation would direct priorities at a host of research funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy Office of Science. Now is the time to advocate for ACS priorities in this vital legislative effort!
If you would like to learn more about the bill from ACS Government Affairs Staff, there will be a webinar hosted by Lee Latimer, Chair of the Public Affairs and Public Relations Committee and ACS Government Affairs Staff on July 6 at 2:00 ET. You may register for the webinar here: https://american-chemical-society.zoom.com/webinar/register/WN_O_XMKRs3QaywnrwxWlA_zg
Thanks to the hard work of the ACS Board, members, and staff, several provisions that would improve STEM education access, promote safer work and research environments for chemists, conserve helium, and encourage sustainable chemistry research may be included in the legislation.
As Councilor for the AK Local Section of the American Chemical Society, I am reaching out to encourage Alaskan chemical professionals to join in raising these priorities with Senators Murkowski and Sullivan – who may prove key to passage of this bill. With just a few clicks on the Act4Chemistry website, you can send a letter to each of them and their staff about the importance of supporting innovation legislation and provisions that will help chemists. This legislation is a once in a decade opportunity to shape U.S. priorities on innovation and research and to ensure chemistry is included. Click the below link to send your letters:
Link: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/issues.html#/121
You can also sign up to receive newsletters about science policy in Washington and learn more about how to advocate on behalf of chemistry with policymakers. To sign up for Act4Chemistry click here: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/policy/memberadvocacy/sign-up-form.html#/signup/go/.
If you have any questions, please email ACS staff member Will Hartwig (W_Hartwig@acs.org).
Warm regards,
Lisa Hoferkamp
ACS AK LS Councilor