A coalition of leaders from across the scientific ecosystem, including the non-profit sector, industry, academia, and government, released a Vision for American Science and Technology, or VAST, on February 25. The goal of the report is to provide an aspirational roadmap, calling out three action areas:
- Unleash the full power of America’s science and technology enterprise;
- Build and empower the strongest and most adaptable workforce in human history;
- Drive breakthroughs, advance global competitiveness, address societal challenges, and strengthen our national security.
You can check out the full Vision at VASTfuture.org.
Leadership of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology joined a launch event to discuss recommendations from the task force.
Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX) shared some of his priorities in his new leadership role, explaining that we need to move at the speed of innovation rather than the speed of bureaucracy. He also expressed concern about driving scientific talent overseas. When asked about current blunt cuts to the federal science workforce, Chairman Babin offered that this President was elected to cut “waste, fraud, and abuse”; however, he also assured that “We are not out to fire everyone in town.” Chairman Babin stressed the importance of careful review and evaluation of our science agencies, a depiction that is in direct contrast to the actions of the administration.
Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) next took the stage, challenging the effectiveness of Elon Musk’s approach to cutting staff at U.S. science agencies. She wondered if Musk and his team understood that probationary staff included scientists who had recently received a merit review or may have been recently hired for a specific skill set for cutting-edge initiatives. Lofgren also expressed concerns about reducing agency communication with the scientific community, limiting grants, and reports that, due to the uncertainty, universities are reducing graduate student admissions. She cautioned that long-term consequences are likely.
Despite Babin’s and Lofgren’s outspoken support for science and science funding, it is unclear how the House will push back against the administration’s recent actions, which threaten America’s scientific infrastructure. FABBS continues to encourage House Science to examine whether or not the National Science Foundation (NSF) can fulfill its duties – as mandated by statute – in the face of mass layoffs and projected budget cuts.
Watch: A conversation on U.S. competitiveness in science & technology
