ACS endorses the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act

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February 16, 2021

On behalf of the American Chemical Society, I write to endorse the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act, and express our appreciation for your efforts to address the vast and urgent threat to our country, citizens, and economy presented by the COVID‐19 pandemic. As a Congressionally chartered professional society representing over 155,000 chemists, chemistry educators, and chemical engineers, we thank you for your work to support the researchers and students who work to improve the lives of the American people and drive our economic growth.

The RISE Act’s authorization of additional funding at agencies across the federal government is vital to support researchers throughout the US as they return to the lab. The roughly $26 billion investment will ensure months or years of research are not lost, advance the STEM workforce, and protect taxpayer investment in federal research facilities. These funds will preserve the preeminence of US research and innovation and ensure our continued global leadership and competitiveness.

We believe the RISE Act provides vital flexibility for scientists and agencies to conduct research in this unprecedented environment. Adapting to conducting safe and socially distanced scientific investigation will be essential to guarantee our nation’s researchers are able to maximize both discovery and well-being in the laboratory.

Thank you for your support of the research community. We are eager to work with you to bring the RISE Act to passage. If there is anything additional the ACS can do to assist, please feel free to contact Will Hartwig (w_hartwig@acs.org) with your requests.

Very truly yours,

Dr. Thomas M. Connelly, Jr. Chief Executive Officer