Societies Urge Lawmakers to Complete FY 2020 Appropriations

On December 4, 2019, 162 organizations, including the American Institute of Biological Sciences, sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to complete work on fiscal year (FY) 2020 appropriations. Government agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, have been operating under FY 2019 funding levels since FY 2020 began on October 1, 2019. The letter reads, in part: “Federal investments provide the lifeblood for research, discovery and innovation in the United States, driving one of the most powerful engines for American prosperity and global leadership. At least two dozen federal agencies fund defense and nondefense R&D. Failing to complete work on the appropriations bills that fuel this engine in a timely manner impedes our ability to address fundamental challenges such as chronic and infectious diseases, food and energy security, cybersecurity and natural disasters—all of which require advancements in science and technology fostered through federal investments.” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) have reached an agreement on topline spending numbers for each of the twelve appropriations bills. Appropriations subcommittees in the House and Senate are still negotiating details of the individual bills with the objective of completing all 12 bills before December 20, 2019 in order to avoid a government shutdo...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news