Policy News

Research Security Policies & Their Impacts: Key Results of APS Member Survey
New data from a September 2021 survey by the American Physical Society of more than 3,200 physics professionals and students shows that the US federal government’s current approach to addressing research security concerns is weakening, not strengthening, the US scientific enterprise.

APS Voice Concerns About DOJ’s China Initiative and Suggests Reforms
APS President Sylvester James Gates, Jr. recently sent a letter to Biden Administration leaders expressing the Society’s strong concerns with the Justice Department’s China Initiative.

APS Appreciates the Guiding Principles Outlined by the President’s Science Advisor and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Eric Lander
APS believes these are important first steps.

Issue Brief: Visa Uncertainty and Inaction Drives Declines in International Enrollment
New APS survey results reveal that more than two-thirds of the international, first-year physics PhD students who were slated to enroll in fall 2020 are still not on campus.

APS Encouraged by President Biden’s Initial Request for Fiscal Year 2022 Funding
The American Physical Society is encouraged by President Biden’s initial budget request for Fiscal Year 2022.

Issue Brief: US R&D Community Pandemic Recovery Lagging
The federal government’s response to the impacts of the pandemic on the scientific enterprise is imperative, as highlighted by a recent APS Office of Government Affairs (OGA) issue brief.

President Biden’s Recent Executive Actions Address APS Concerns
APS is encouraged by the early actions President Biden has taken related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), climate change, and nuclear threat reduction.

New Report: “Building America’s STEM Workforce: Eliminating Barriers and Unlocking Advantages”
The APS Office of Government Affairs has released a new report titled “Building America’s STEM Workforce: Eliminating Barriers and Unlocking Advantages.”

New Report: "How International Students and Researchers Benefit the United States: Their Experiences, Their Stories"
The APS Office of Government Affairs released a new report titled “How International Students and Researchers Benefit the United States: Their Experiences, Their Stories.”

APS Files FOIA Request in Response to Revocation of Visas for Chinese Students
In its ongoing battle to ensure that international students and scholars can study and work in the US, APS has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the US State Department, asking for the rationale behind the revocation of more than 1,000 visas impacting Chinese students identified in comments from Department of Homeland Security officials.

APS Submits Public Comment Opposing the DHS Proposed Rule to Eliminate Duration of Status
On behalf of the Society, APS President Phil Bucksbaum submitted a public comment opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rule that would eliminate the duration of status term limit for F and J visa holders.

APS Joins Multi-Society Effort in Urging Trump Administration to Rescind Elimination of Federal DEI Training Programs
APS is pushing back against efforts by the Trump Administration to do away with DEI training efforts. DEI is a part of APS's core values.

COVID-19 Response Letter from APS President Philip Bucksbaum
This letter from APS President Philip Bucksbaum is in response to a request for input on future economic stimulus packages aimed at addressing and mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

APS Responds to Proposed Drastic Cuts to Federal Science Agencies in FY21 Budget
The President’s budget for fiscal year 2021 proposes harmful cuts to federal science agencies – including the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation.

APS Opposes Administration’s Proposed Rule on Methane Emissions
APS recently submitted a public comment responding to the EPA’s proposed policy amendments to curtail regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

OGA Appears in Two Articles Covering the Helium Shortage
Two recent announcements concerning the helium shortage appear in the news this month.

APS Responds to Proposed Drastic Cuts to Federal Science Agencies in FY20 Budget
The President’s budget for fiscal year 2020 proposes harmful cuts to federal science agencies – including the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation.

APS Takes Steps to Address its Carbon Footprint
APS is taking steps to address the impact of the emissions from its largest GHG sources, including emissions from member travel to and from select APS national and annual meetings.

APS 5-Sigma Physicist Awardees Honored for Outstanding Advocacy
Recipients of the 5-Sigma award honor demonstrated at least one impactful advocacy action and continued their communication with the APS OGA throughout the year.

Two APS Student Members Lead National Petition Drive to Oppose Congressional Legislation
Two APS student members wrote op-eds highlighting harmful loan provisions in legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.

FY 18 Funding Bill a Win for Science
The diligent work of APS members, coupled with support from the APS Office of Government Affairs (APS OGA), contributed to a tremendous win for science agencies in the fiscal year (FY) 2018 omnibus bill.

APS Responds to Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Budget
APS is grateful for the work of the many members and staff in Congress, and staff at the executive branch agencies, for developing a 2018 federal budget that provides significant support for science.

American Physical Society Responds to President’s Budget Proposal
The President’s 2019 budget request proposes significant cuts from current funding levels for the federal science agencies, including reductions for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Energy (DOE).

Undergraduate Physics Students Meet With Senate Staffer, Promote Potential Research Impacts at DNP Meeting
Undergraduate physics students who attended the Division of Nuclear Physics (DNP) meeting in Pittsburgh were elated to discuss the potential impacts of their research with a staffer representing U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of Students Contact Senators, Urge Support of Science Research Programs
Nearly 200 undergraduate students from across the country recently contacted 80 U.S. senators, requesting they support science research opportunities for undergraduates, including those funded by the National Science Foundation. The students connected with their senators as part of an advocacy campaign supported by APS and the Society of Physics Students.

APS Response to U.S. Withdrawal from Climate Agreement
The agreement was endorsed by nearly 200 countries as a means to address global climate change.

APS Response to Trump’s Cut to Science
The APS’s Office of Public Affairs (OPA) has taken effective steps to oppose President Trump’s budget proposals by advocating to congressional offices and by working with Society members to write op-eds, engage on social media and meet with congressional staff.

APS Questions for the Presidential Candidates
APS works on behalf of its members, and the physics community at large, to inform policy leaders about the importance of physics and research funding.

The Helium Crisis
Skyrocketing prices for liquid helium — an essential resource for our nation’s healthcare technologies and research enterprise — are placing the U.S. innovation ecosystem at significant risk.

Science and Technology Bear the Brunt of Budget Dysfunction
The House and Senate are on the verge of recessing at the end of September without passing any appropriations bills for the next fiscal year.

The Cato Institute’s Opposing Views on Science Funding Show the Need for Physics Advocacy
At a briefing on Capitol Hill, the Cato Institute made a case against government support for science, but it actually showed why we need to speak out in favor of that funding.

The Open Access Wrecking Ball
In an age of electronic communication, everyone expects to have access to information on the Web instantly and without using a credit card to get it.

Innovation Pipeline Reception Highlights Ways to Keep America Competitive in 21st Century
During the reception, several speakers addressed strategies for strengthening the innovator pipeline.

Clearer Grant Titles Can Help Ward Off Funding Critics
Grant titles have come under fire from some members of Congress who say the scientists’ research is a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.

APS Office of Public Affairs Interns: A Little Recycling Goes a Long Way
Letter to the Editor authored by two Northern Illinois University undergraduate students

APS President Writes Congress; You Should, Too
The APS President has done his part, and it’s time to do yours.

Gravitational Waves Ripple Through House Science Committee
Observations during the LIGO House Science Committee hearing reveal attitudes toward federal funding for science and the associated impacts of LIGO's discovery.

Budget Deal Could Put Science Back on World Stage
First published in The Hill on November 18, 2015

APS Welcomes New STEM-Ed Fellow
APS is excited to welcome Ramon Barthelemy, the 2015 APS/AIP STEM-Ed Fellow, who will be working on STEM programs in the U.S. Department of Education.

Comprehensive Senate Energy Bill Approved by Committee
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 with bipartisan support (18-4 vote).

ASEE Board Recognizes Physics as Vital to Engineering Education
Engineering, which relies on the fundamental principles of physics, provides a rewarding career pathway and is a vital cog in America’s innovation economy.

DCMP Chair-Elect Promotes APS Helium Initiatives at Congressional Hearing
Halperin was joined by four other witnesses who testified during the subcommittee’s July 8 oversight hearing on The Helium Stewardship Act and the Path Forward.

Wonder and Awe for Cheap: New Horizons
Three billion miles and nine-and-a-half years ago, NASA launched the New Horizons spacecraft to explore our solar system.

APS President Testifies on DHS S&T; Recommends Changes
APS President Sam Aronson testified today before a subcommittee of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee on the lack of transparency with the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate.

Alabama Students Speak Out About Science Funding
A group of students at University of Alabama-Birmingham recently made a video about the importance of federal science funding and how it is affecting their state.

“Star Trek” Consultant, Science Producer Communicate Value of Science during APS March Meeting
The APS Office of Public Affairs invited two television producers to discuss how popular science-based film can help underscore the value of science.

Mixed News for Science in President's 2016 Budget Request
President Obama's 2016 budget calls for an end to sequestration, but spending emphasizes technical programs, not science.

Innovation in Action: The JWST
APS and a coalition of science policy advocates recently took a trip to NASA Goddard to examine the progress of the construction of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

NSF Sets Gold Standard for Scientific Research Funding
The National Science Foundation — known as the gold standard for scientific research funding throughout the world – has unfairly come under fire by the House Science Committee.

DOE Shows Off its Labs; Sens. Risch and Durbin Announce National Lab Caucus
The Department of Energy’s 17 national laboratories are the source of numerous scientific breakthroughs, world-renowned experimental facilities and employers of Nobel Laureates.