Öйú365betÖÐÎĹÙÍø

Dear Majority Leader Thune, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries,

On behalf of the American Chemical Öйú365betÖÐÎĹÙÍø (ACS), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Materials Research Öйú365betÖÐÎĹÙÍø (MRS), and the Electrochemical Öйú365betÖÐÎĹÙÍø (ECS) we appreciate your leadership in supporting U.S. scientific research and innovation to advance our nation’s security, global competitiveness, and scientific leadership. We write today to request your continued leadership to ensure sustained support for this important work.

We recognize the fiscal challenges you face in funding the government, while simultaneously working to reduce national debt obligations and operate the government efficiently. As organizations that strive to advance scientific research and innovation in chemical and material sciences, we believe that strong and sustained federal investments in scientific research will help maintain U.S. leadership in innovation, promote our economic competitiveness, and ensure our national security.

Research funded by federal agencies � such as the Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE SC), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) � drives transformative discoveries in chemical and materials research. For example, federal support through these agencies is enabling emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation advanced semiconductors and microelectronics, as well as driving breakthroughs in areas such as new energy sources, cancer treatments, and advanced materials. These technologies and breakthroughs bolster clear economic growth and other advantages in the U.S.

However, the U.S. is not the only country pursuing these emerging technologies and transformative breakthroughs. Our near-peer competitors, many of which have adversarial relationships with the U.S., are also investing heavily in research and development with the goal of supplanting the U.S. as the global leader in science and technology. At no other time in our nation’s history than now has our global leadership been as threatened.

As you work toward completing fiscal year 2025 appropriations and begin the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process, we urge you to ensure the budgets for the above-named federal agencies are, at the very least, increased to keep pace with inflation over their enacted fiscal year 2024 appropriations. Anything short of strong and sustained appropriations for science research and innovation threatens U.S. leadership, economic growth, and national security.

Our organizations, along with the nearly 300,000 individuals in our communities, stand ready to work with you and your staff to secure critical funding for science research and innovation as you complete the fiscal year 2025 appropriations and begin the fiscal year 2026 budget process.

We thank you for all that you are doing to ensure that America’s scientific enterprise remains the gold standard for the world.

Sincerely,