In January, the United States saw the start of the 117th Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration. Over the first quarter, ACS has sought to continue to advocate for its members’ priorities and to introduce itself to new policymakers and decision-makers in Washington, DC.
ACS began by celebrating the elevation of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), who serves as the presidential science advisor, to a Cabinet-level position – the first time in history this position has been elevated.
Additionally, ACS has outlined policy concerns that the Administration should reverse, delay, or prioritize including: highlighting the critical role STEM learning plays; consider delaying the effective date of the DHS H-1B Wage Prioritization regulation; and replacement of the “Scientific Transparency in Pivotal Science Underlying Signification Regulatory Actions and Influential Scientific Information” rule.
On the Congressional side, ACS continues to advocate for the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act, which authorized additional funding at agencies across the federal government in support of researchers as they return to the lab. ACS again endorsed the legislation and joined a community letter asking President Biden to champion the legislation.
Furthermore, ACS is asking researchers to share short personal stories about how COVID-19 research stoppages and restrictions have negatively impacted their science so we can share this with Congressional champions of the RISE Act. You can click on this link to fill out the short form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/cbd77f360950416c925d0b44f6cc6255.
ACS has also endorsed H.R. 2027, the MSI STEM Achievement Act, legislation that improves and increases undergraduate research opportunities at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). ACS is proud to endorse this bill, which provides a critical step to achieving equity for underrepresented communities in STEM.
To stay up to date on ACS policy and advocacy efforts, sign up for the Act4Chemistry Legislative Action Network.
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