AAS Public Policy

The American Astronomical Society aims to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe, in part through work as advocates for science.

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

We just broke down the Senate’s FY2026 CJS bill on the AAS blog! NASA Science stays at $7.3 B, and NSF is at $9 B.

Congress is listening, but the job is far from over.

Read more here: https://t.co/wcr56QZ5Gm

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

The Senate reconciliation bill passed yesterday is separate from the annual appropriations process, which determines funding for our federal science agencies. Learn more about the differences here: https://t.co/bIfiOpzfGY

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

AAS & 52 science societies & organizations sent a letter to Congress this morning expressing concern over recent organizational & financial developments at NSF, and urging Congress to exercise its oversight authority to preserve American STEM leadership. https://t.co/vFTiLUPGCD

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

Your Senators have until tomorrow to request robust levels of funding for NASA, NSF, and the DOE Office of Science - use our easy forms to request that they do so today!

https://t.co/pdIhEDoG1e

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

AAS members sent over 1300 emails urging House members to sign a letter in support of NASA Science, resulting in 83 signatories!

Now it's time to urge our Senators to support NASA Science! Deadline to sign this letter is Wednesday, May 21, so act now!

https://t.co/59EHATrCQx

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

Thanks to @CoalitionNSF for highlighting the critical role of NSF funded research on Capitol Hill. NSF drives U.S. leadership in science and innovation, where federal investment supports groundbreaking discoveries and world-class facilities.

[CNSF @CoalitionNSF]

Yesterday, CNSF celebrated 75 years of NSF innovation with a congressional showcase on Capitol Hill of #NSFFunded research from across the U.S. Big thanks to Senator @ChrisVanHollen for hosting, to NSB member @BabuSureshS for his remarks, and to the amazing researchers! #NSF75

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

Already written to your members of Congress? 📢 Take a minute to amplify your voice! Share why strong federal support for science research matters to YOU on your social media. Tag your representatives and use #SaveScience and #WeekOfAction to spread the message far and wide! 🚀✨

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

The FY2026 President's Budget Request includes:

47% cuts to NASA Science.
56% cuts to NSF.
28% cuts to NIST.
14% cuts to the DOE Office of Science.

These requests have serious implications for the U.S. scientific enterprise.

https://t.co/5Eyaj9pTxo

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

Major science funding news: Reports suggest the White House may want to slash NSF’s budget by 55% — and the NSF director has just resigned. Congress is back in session, and deep cuts to federal programs are on the table.

This week’s policy blog:
https://t.co/VQQATBG1wU

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

131 people have asked Congress to support NSF so far. We need more voices! Take 2 minutes & use this easy form to contact your members of Congress. Raise your hands in the comments & repost to your networks if you have taken action! https://t.co/yedUFPvWYb

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

@AAS_Office ✋

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

🚨 The President’s Budget Request for FY2026 is rumored to include a 55% cut to the National Science Foundation. Take two minutes today to ask your members of Congress to join a bipartisan letter calling for $10.18 billion in funding for the NSF. https://t.co/yedUFPvWYb

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

🚨 New AIP report: Restrictions on federal grants are straining physics & astronomy grad programs—fewer stipends, fewer students, fewer breakthroughs.

We must reverse this trend.

Support our researchers. Support science.

https://t.co/NzzaguFB1a

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

We will be holding a webinar from 1-2pm ET on Friday, April 11th to hear from some Congressional Visits Day participants. Join us to hear about their experiences and learn how to get involved in advocacy!

Register for the event here:

https://t.co/ANdoUp3qN0

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

This week we sponsored Faith and Logan, two undergraduate students, to attend the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop. They learned all about science policy and the federal policy-making process, and advocated for science with congressional offices!

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

Last week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving U.S. innovation and economic growth. A huge thank you to our participants for your time and hard work. You all made this event an amazing success

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

🚨 Action Alert: Ask your members of congress to support federal science funding! Learn how to submit constituent appropriations requests: https://t.co/dMiyYKCrVk

Interested in taking action — join our Q&A/co-working session on Friday at 1:30 pm ET: https://t.co/XexplKxL0N

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

Advocacy for the Astronomical Sciences

The @AAS_Policy team will be hosting a webinar on 19 March from 1:00 to 2:00 pm ET to discuss how you can take action to support the astronomical sciences. Come join us and get involved in science advocacy! https://t.co/jw0MpqOzRn

[American Astronomical Society (AAS) @AAS_Office]

AAS Alarmed by Rumored Deep Cuts to NASA & National Science Foundation

Recent reports have indicated that the White House may soon be proposing drastic cuts to future budgets for National Science Foundation (NSF) & NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD). https://t.co/8V6b0mzv5K

[AAS Public Policy @AAS_Policy]

Thank you @RepGlennIvey for visiting us at #AAS245 ! We're excited to work with you to support the space sciences.