Letters & Testimony
Support for NSF Funding
As part of the Coalition for National Science Funding, GSA signed a letter to Congress stating that "a balanced bipartisan budget agreement that raises the 2018 spending caps and makes prudent, adequate investments in scientific research and innovation would prevent budget gridlock and help grow the economy."
Joint Letter Regarding EPA Climate Science
GSA and leaders of 17 other science societies are requesting a meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, in response to reports that he is working to develop a “red team/blue team” process that challenges climate science.
Opposition to Proposed Cuts to the USGS Library Budget
GSA signed a letter to Members of Congress to encourage "continued funding for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Library, one of the world’s largest and most important Earth and natural resources libraries." The FY 2018 budget request would reduce funding to the library by 52 percent.
Scientific Community Expresses Concern about Proposed New Visa Policies
GSA joined more than 50 scientific societies to send comments on a proposed expansion of the information collected as part of the visa application process, expressing concern that "the uncertainties and confusion regarding supplemental questions will have a negative impact, particularly on U.S. higher education and scientific collaborations."
GSA Reacts to FY18 Budget Request
GSA issued a statement that it "is deeply concerned about the cuts to geoscience research proposed in the Administration's budget request." In addition, several scientific coalitions to which GSA belongs released statements on the budget, including the Task Force on American Innovation, an ad hoc coalition of nearly 150 organizations and the Coalition for Aerospace and Science.
Testimony Supports Geoscience Research Funding
GSA joined 130 institutions to submit testimony in support of NSF, NOAA and NASA that emphasize the contributions geosciences make to national security, economic competitiveness, and public safety. GSA also submitted its own testimony supporting NSF, NASA, and USGS. In addition, GSA joined members of the Energy Sciences Coalition to submit testimony in support of research at DOE’s Office of Science and the USGS Coalition on appropriations for the U.S. Geological Survey.
Scientific Community Recommendations for NSF, NASA Funding
GSA joined prominent industry, university, and science organizations as part of the Coalition for Aerospace and Science (CAS) to call for "sustained federal investments in NASA" including "robust funding for the Earth Science Division to ensure continued support for key missions and programs" and the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) to recommend an $8 billion appropriation for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY2018. In addition, GSA joined 285 organizations to send a letter asking congressional leaders to “swiftly complete the FY 2017 appropriations process with robust investments in scientific research.”
Broad Support for Ending Sequestration
Through NDD United, GSA joined a coalition of more than 2,000 federal, state and local organizations signing a letter calling on Congress and the President to "ensure adequate funding for programs funded through annual appropriations, by continuing the bipartisan practice of providing relief from sequestration budget cuts and opposing any new efforts to cut these programs more deeply."
Scientific Organizations Concerned About Executive Order
In a letter, GSA joined 150 organizations to express deep concern “that this Executive Order will have a negative impact on the ability of scientists and engineers in industry and academia to enter, or leave from and return to, the United States. This will reduce U.S. science and engineering output to the detriment of America and Americans.”
Joint GSA/AGU Response to Executive Order
“Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States”