Dear ESA Members: Today, Wednesday, May 28th, the House of Representatives is scheduled to begin debating legislation that would increase funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year (FY) 2015. We are asking you to contact your legislator today if you agree increased funding for the National Science Foundation is important for ecological science.
Step 1: Write your letter Step 2: Email you representative, http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ Email Subject Line: Please Support Science in H.R. 4660 Sample Letter Dear (insert your Congresspersons name), I write to express my support for the provision in H.R. 4660, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act of 2015 that provides funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF). If enacted, H.R. 4660 would provide $7.4 billion for NSF, which is $237 million higher than its FY 2014 funding and pivotal to keep pace with inflation. We appreciate the bipartisan manner in which the committee developed this bill and request that Members oppose amendments that cut funding for STEM education, biological, geological, behavioral and social sciences that would undermine Americas efforts to innovate and maintain our global competitiveness. This legislation contains $5.3 billion for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), virtually equal to the FY 2014 enacted level, however we are concerned that the bill cuts NOAAs climate research funding to $119 million, which is 24% less that FY14 funding levels of $156.5 million. This research provides data that is crucial in efforts related to management of drought, flooding, and torrential storms and also helps our nation understand long-term trends in atmospheric changes. We urge you to restore the $37.5 million in funding for NOAAs climate research. We appreciate CJS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Ranking Member Chaka Fattah (D-PA) for their longstanding support for federal research and hope the US Congress will collectively continue to prioritize investments that help inform policy with science.
