WASHINGTON – The Science Coalition (TSC) today issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ markup of fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations for key research agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  

“Senate appropriators are right to prioritize funding increases for DOD and NIH that empower our researchers to push the boundaries of discovery and drive technological advancements crucial to economic growth, national security, and global leadership. We commend their commitment to our researchers and the STEM workforce pipeline that would chart a new course for American science and innovation,” said TSC President Laura Kolton. Concurrently, it is important to acknowledge that maintaining a scientific global edge requires consistent and predictable year-over-year investment. With the end of the fiscal year approaching quickly, we urge lawmakers to double down on their commitment towards building a stronger, more resilient and technologically advanced nation for generations to come.” 

A recent nationwide poll conducted by TSC found the American public overwhelmingly supports increased federal investment in fundamental research, and a majority of voters believe scientific investment should increase annually.  

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About the Science Coalition 

Established in 1994, The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. It is dedicated to sustaining the federal government’s investment in basic scientific research as a means to stimulate the economy, spur innovation, and drive America’s global competitiveness.