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Latest News: MAA Advocacy and Public Policy

Latest News: MAA Advocacy and Public Policy

March 4, 2011

On Friday, March 11, MAA Past President David Bressoud testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, in support of President Obama?s 2012 budget request for NSF. You can read a written version of his testimony here. The total NSF request is $7,767.00M, which is in line with the reauthorization of the America Competes Act. You can sign this petition and join us in supporting the President?s request to continue funding critical STEM research and education initiatives.

December 22, 2010

Yesterday, the House of Representatives concurred with a Senate amendment to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which authorizes funding for the National Science Foundation through fiscal year 2015. The bill now awaits signature from the President.

Since the bill was introduced, MAA has worked to strengthen federal support of undergraduate mathematics education. Read more about MAA?s advocacy efforts here.

Read more about the passage of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act here.

July 1, 2010

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science approved a $7.4 billion budget for the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 2011. Read the complete story here.

May 28, 2010

On Friday, May 28, the America COMPETES reauthorization cleared the House by a vote of 262-150. Read the complete story here.

May 20, 2010

On Wednesday, May 19, the House failed to pass the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act with a vote 261-148. Read the complete story here.

April 20, 2010

The House Subcommittee on Research and Science Education recently approved a Committee Print of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2010. The bill will authorize funding for NSF through fiscal year 2015. Read the complete story here.

March 16, 2010

The MAA launched its 2010 science policy advocacy project to strengthen federal support for undergraduate mathematics. Read the complete story here.

February 3, 2010

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted to Congress a $7.4 billion budget for FY 2011, calling for an 8% increase over 2010. NSF represents 65% of total federal support for basic research in mathematics. Read the complete story here.

January 19, 2010

This week the House Committee on Science and Technology announced its agenda for the second session of the 111th Congress. More information on their agenda and MAA's work with the Congress in this session is available here.

December 16, 2009

Rep. Gordon, House Science Committee Chair, Announces Retirement

After serving 25 years in the House of Representatives, Rep. Bart Gordon (Tenn.) announced that he would not be seeking reelection in 2010. Read full story here.

December 8, 2009

Congress Finishes Work on FY 2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill ’ Provides Funds for the National Science Foundation

On December 8, the House adopted a conference agreement on the FY 2010 omnibus appropriations bill to provide $6.9 billion -- a $426 million boost over FY 2009 -- in discretionary funds for the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) spending bill. Congress provided the funds to support the effort to double the agency’s budget over a 10-year period. The Senate is expected to approve the bill early next week. Read full story here.

November 18, 2009

On November 6, the Senate approved the $64.9 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) spending bill. The Senate CJS bill includes $6.9 billion for the National Science Foundation, a $426 million boost over FY 2009 and $128 million below President Obama's request.
The bill now moves to conference where House and Senate members will work to resolve differences between the two versions of the legislation.

Highlights of the Senate-passed version of the bill are provided below. Please contact Kelly Pollitt or Dave Zook with any additional questions at (202) 312-7400.

National Science Foundation
Research and Related Activities
$5.6 Billion

The Senate bill provides $5.6 billion which is $434.9 million above the FY 2009 level and $115 million below the President's budget request. The House CJS bill also requests funding in the amount of $5.6 billion.

The Research and Related Activities appropriation addresses the Foundation’s three strategic goals: people’developing a diverse, internationally competitive and globally engaged workforce of scientists, engineers, and well-prepared citizens; ideas’enabling discovery across the frontiers of science and engineering, connected to learning, innovation, and service to society; and tools’providing broadly accessible, state-of-the-art science and engineering facilities and shared research and education tools.

National Science Foundation
Education and Human Resources
$857 Million

The Senate bill provides $857 million which is $12.5 million above FY 2009 and the same as the President's budget request. The House CJS bill recommends $862 million.
The education and human resources appropriation supports a comprehensive set of programs across all levels of education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Additionally, the Senate set aside $2 million for a competitive program of grants to promote STEM education through robotics competition.

National Science Foundation
Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction
$122 million

The Senate bill provides $122 million which is $29 million below the FY 2009 level and $5 million above the President's request. The House CJS bill recommends $114 million.

The major research equipment and facilities construction appropriation supports the acquisition, procurement, construction, and commissioning of unique national research platforms and facilities as well as major research equipment. Additionally, preliminary design and development activities, on-going operations, and maintenance costs of the facilities are provided through this appropriation account.

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