FASEB joins President Obama in urging Congress to sustain investments in research and innovation

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) enthusiastically supports President Barack Obama's call to Congress to maintain key federal investments in research and development as outlined in his State of the Union address last night. "Once again we sincerely appreciate the President's emphasis on scientific innovation and his willingness to make funding for research a national priority. We should not sacrifice our commitment to the research that has dramatically improved the quality of life for Americans and people around the world," stated Judith S. Bond, PhD, FASEB President.

FASEB also praised the President's emphasis on increasing investments in science and innovation. President Obama said, "Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation. Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the Space Race." In addition, the President noted that the automatic spending cuts known as sequestration would devastate priorities like education, energy, and medical research. "We will continue our advocacy efforts to urge Congress to sustain federal funding for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the other research agencies," said Dr. Bond. Scientists and researchers from around the country have already sent nearly 20,000 emails to Capitol Hill in response to e-action alerts issued by FASEB. "I urge everyone in the scientific community to contact their members of Congress today and forward the FASEB alert to their colleagues," added the FASEB President.

Provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology