ACS Policy Advocacy Efforts
One of the important activities that ACS provides is Governmental Advocacy. This may be less visible but is a critical function of ACS. ACS employs a few registered lobbyists, and supports 2 Congressional Fellows. As a non-profit scientific and educational organization, ACS cannot endorse political candidates. ACS advocacy focuses on support for funding of scientific endeavors such as NSF, NIH, Department of Energy, and supporting policies bolstering scientific competitiveness, diversity in STEM, and science education. A clear example of our advocacy is outlined in the newsletter article responding to the proposed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rule on federal financial assistance. ACS has also been strong advocates for reauthorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The lobbyists and their staff provide the public facing voice for ACS. However, their efforts can be greatly bolstered by support from individual ACS members contacting their Member of Congress. ACS offers many tools to make it easier to get involved. ACS offers free workshops and policy webinars to train us and help us to reach out and start making a difference.
The Act4Chemistry program provides notification of pending issues, and tools to make it very easy to connect with your Congress representatives. If you are interested in getting involved, I suggest you sign up for the Act4Chemistry program, and consider attending a few of the webinars which will increase your confidence and knowledge to reach out to your Congress person or submit a public comment to pending legislation.
In this time when it seems that our scientific institutions and public policies are under attack, we can all play a defending/supporting role. ACS is offering the tools to make this happen. Please check them out.
Respectfully submitted
Natalie McClure
