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Science Policy Alerts
Click on Special Initiatives when you designate your gift, and select Capitol Cause. Contact Your Legislators Now! Fiscal cliff deal pending with potentially severe cuts to science funding
20 December 2012
AGU Science Policy Alert 12–52
Fiscal cliff negotiations are coming down to the wire, and we need you to contact your legislators now!
Speaker Boehner’s "Plan B” proposal to address the fiscal cliff will be put up for vote in the House today. To gain the votes needed to pass "Plan B,” GOP leaders decided to allow a separate vote on another measure, which will replace cuts to defense with additional spending cuts on non-defense discretionary programs (including NASA, NSF, DOE, NOAA, USGS, etc.). Federal science agencies could face across the board cuts, higher than sequester cuts, which could be very detrimental to the scientific community. The White House says it will veto these measures; however, contacting your legislators is important to inform them of the value of investing in science research, and why further cuts to U.S. research and development must be avoided.
We suggest the following strategy for maximum impact:
- Contact your legislators by using the following link.
- Explain the impacts and consequences of across-the-board cuts that jeopardize public safety, national security, and future of our economy.
- If your legislators are taking a position that supports the science community, thank them for their efforts and encourage them to continue their support.
- Continue to contact your legislator over the next few weeks and months, especially regarding the looming debt ceiling and funding decisions for FY13 and FY14 appropriations.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact AGU Public Affairs at sciencepolicy@agu.org. Thank you and have a great holiday.