When the Act4Chemistry group of the American Chemical Society contacts me, I step up.
When they contact me for agendas related to National Chemistry Week, I gladly comply.
First, they requested that I "ask the Senate to confirm science nominees for key positions & consider a chemist for the Chemical Safety Board".
In 2021, the Biden Administration nominated three chemists to three important parts of government. Dr. Geri Richmond has been nominated as the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Under Secretary for Science and Energy. Dr. Asmeret Berhe has been nominated as the Director of the DOE Office of Science. Additionally, Dr. Laurie Locascio has been nominated to lead the Department of Commerce’s National Institutes
of Standards and Technology (NIST).
of Standards and Technology (NIST).
ACS asks the Senate to vote on their nominations.
ACS is also asking Congress to encourage the nomination of someone with experience and a background in chemistry for the remaining vacancy on the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
ACS is encouraging the inclusion of dedicated support for sustainable chemistry and authorization of new helium conservation measures into the wider Science and Innovation package Congress is aiming to pass.
Language supporting sustainable chemistry and the conservation of the critical material helium has passed the House.
Inclusion in the final package that could become law will depend on action by scientists like you to ensure Members are aware of the importance of supporting sustainable chemistry and conserving nonrenewable helium.
ACS is encouraging the inclusion of the following bills into the wider Science and Innovation package Congress is aiming to pass.
The specific bills to be included are: H.R. 204/S. 2224, The STEM Opportunities Act; H.R. 2027, the MSI STEM
Achievement Act; H.R. 210, The Rural STEM Education Research Act; and
H.R. 2695/S.1379, The Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act.
These bills create an array of programs, grants, and requirements that support a more diverse and inclusive learning environment in STEM.
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to help!
(smile!)
1 comment:
More movement requested for these bills - so I have complied!
Here's the email from ACS:
"Dear ACS Member:
The House of Representatives and Senate recently announced an agreement for both chambers to go to conference on the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), S. 1260, the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Future Act, H.R. 2225, and the Department of Energy (DOE) Science for the Future Act, H.R. 3593. This means both chambers will begin a bipartisan process to reconcile the various proposals to resolve bicameral differences into one final bill.
The final piece of legislation has the capacity to reshape federal research by authorizing funding increases for the next-generation of cutting-edge technology research and potentially providing resources for facility upgrades and encouraging a diverse and prepared workforce.
While the chambers work to reconcile the bills, ACS continues to advocate for the inclusion of provisions in a final piece of legislation that support:
Sustainable chemistry
Conservation of helium for scientific research
STEM education
Diversity in the STEM workforce and
Support for researchers still recovering from the impact of COVID-19
We ask you to raise these important issues to your Representative and Senators as they forge a compromise legislative vehicle. The button below will help you take action in a matter of minutes.
For questions, please email us at act4chemistry@acs.org.
Warm regards,
Karen Garcia"
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