Science & Technical Advice for Congress
Adopted by the Council on April 15, 2005
Revision Approved by the Council on Nov. 12, 2020
Science, engineering and technology are increasingly important components of the issues that come before the U.S. Congress. From long-term energy security to decisions about nuclear weapons policy and the exploration of space, it is imperative that congressional decision-makers have access to good technical advice. However, members of Congress and their staff report gaps in the advice currently available to them. They have identified a need for advice that:
(a) Addresses problems that require significant study but must be acted on within a matter of months
(b) Effectively supports policy development with expert technical assessment
Therefore, APS encourages Congress to enhance the capabilities of its support organizations or create other mechanisms to carry out timely technical analyses of policy options.
The review process for any statement may be started at any time if deemed necessary by the Panel on Public Affairs, and at least once every five years.