News from The Hill

Check other tabs for Events & Briefings posted before 2020.

Geosciences Supporting a Thriving Society in a Changing World
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and its federation of geoscience Member Societies, including GSA, have collaborated again to provide an overview of critical issues and policy recommendations for the next presidential administration, federal agencies, and the U.S. Congress.

How is Congress dealing with COVID-19?
Congress has tried to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the research community with two pieces of legislation: The Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act and The Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act.

Geothermal bills make progress through both chambers
Congress has recently been considering several bills related to the growing field of geothermal energy development and production.

GSA Thanks "Saving the Civil Service Act” Sponsors
GSA signed a letter thanking House members for introducing the “Saving the Civil Service Act” to reverse the “Executive Order on Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service.”

GSA Comments on Proposed Student Visa Rules
GSA asked that the proposed rule "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media" be withdrawn.

Letter to NSF
GSA signed a letter illustrating how societies can "work with the National Science Foundation to address and surmount the challenges that COVID-19 poses to the research enterprise."

Support for a Study on Systemic Racism
GSA was part of a coalition of 80 scientific organizations that sent a letter supporting a study to assess the influence of systemic racism in academia and identify strategies for change.

GSA Supports Legislation to Provide Emergency Relief Funding for Research
GSA endorsed the Research Investment to Secure the Economy (RISE) Act, a bipartisan bill that authorizes approximately $26 billion for federal research agencies to provide relief related to COVID-19 disruptions.

Response to Proposed Changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program
GSA signed an open letter to "request that plans announced by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 6, 2020 to modify the exemption to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) be withdrawn immediately."

CNSF Encourages Vote on NSF Director
A coalition that includes GSA sent a letter to Senate leaders encouraging them “to swiftly allow a vote on Dr. Sethuraman ‘Panch’ Panchanathan’s nomination to become the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF).”

Science Community Expresses Concerns with Executive Proclamation on Immigration
Thirty-six scientific organizations, including GSA, sent a letter to the White House that asks to “prioritize the immigration of science and technology talent that will spur the scientific breakthroughs and economic growth of the United States that is needed for rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

GSA Submits Comments on Proposed EPA Rule
GSA joined with leading scientific organizations to submit comments (here and here) that ask EPA to withdraw its proposed rule: “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science.”

GSA Testimony Supporting NSF and NASA
GSA submitted testimony supporting NSF and NASA to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Support for Research During COVID-19
GSA endorsed a congressional effort to provide $26 billion in emergency relief funding for the research community in the next coronavirus relief package. In addition, GSA is a member of several coalitions that issued a letter to Congress urging support for scientific research in future COVID-19 relief legislation.

Multisociety statement denouncing the stigmatization of individuals of Asian ancestry
GSA joined 49 organizations to support Congressional resolutions to denounce anti-Asian discrimination as related to COVID-19.

Scientific Community Highlights Research Needs
The Coalition for National Science Funding and Energy Sciences Coalition sent letters highlighting scientific research needs that could be included in future economic stimulus packages.

Scientific Community Pushes for FY 2021 Funding
The Energy Science Coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders asking them "to appropriate at least $7.4 billion in FY 2021 for DOE Office of Science," while the Coalition for National Science Funding called for a $9 billion appropriation for the National Science Foundation. GSA signed a letter calling for the highest possible allocation for the subcommittee funding NSF, NASA, NOAA, and OSTP, and the Coalition for Aerospace and Science highlighted NASA priorities.

GSA Testifies in Support of USGS
GSA Director for Geoscience Policy Kasey White testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies on 6 February.

GSA Submits Comments on the American Research Environment
GSA submitted comments in response to a White House Request for Information on the American Research Environment.