05.1 Science & Technical Advice for Congress

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; and
(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.

Reaffirmed by Council on November 12, 2020 
Adopted by the Council on April 15, 2005
Category: National Policy

APS Statements

APS Statements are public policy statements that undergo a meticulous process of draft and review, including receiving comments from APS members, before being voted on by APS Council at one of its semiannual meetings. The review process for APS statements may be started at anytime if deemed necessary by the Panel on Public Affairs, and at least once every 5 years.