PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Committee on Public Affairs Meets with 17 Congressional Offices

Support for research programs sought in ASPB testimony to congressional committees and in congressional office visits by ASPB members, including those on the Committee on Public Affairs and in the leadership, is now contained in House appropriations bills.

ASPB has strongly been advocating support for the president’s American Competitiveness Initiative and Advanced Energy Initiative. The ACI would double funding over 10 years for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Office of Science, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Advanced Energy Initiative increases support for bioenergy research within the Department of Energy. Both initiatives are on track in recommendations by the House Appropriations Committee in their FY2007 spending bills.

ASPB comments and ASPB visits to Capitol Hill also have sought increased support for research supported by the Department of Agriculture, including the National Research Initiative and Agricultural Research Service. The NRI is increased to $189 million in the House. Further support is needed to encourage the NRI increase and to gain increases for ARS in the Senate.

Committee Chair Pamela Ronald; ASPB President Michael Thomashow; ASPB Immediate Past President Roger Hangarter; committee members Gary Stacey, Roger Innes, James Siedow, Stephen Howell, Rob Last; and student participant Jeffrey Gordon met with their congressional staffers on February 28 to explain the importance of supporting ACI, AEI, and agricultural research programs. Among the 17 Congressional offices visited were those of members on key appropriations and authorization committees.

On February 27, the Committee on Public Affairs met at ASPB headquarters and determined actions to be taken in many areas on behalf of plant science. Sharlene Weatherwax of the Department of Energy Office of Science met with the committee and explained research directions and opportunities within the department.