Trump Proposes Deep Cuts to Science Budgets

On Tuesday, May 23, the Trump administration released its full budget proposal for FY18. Like the President's initial proposal, released on March 16, the full budget proposal calls for draconian cuts to domestic spending, including to scientific programs:

• $7.7 billion (22%) cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• $3.1 billion (18%) cut to non-nuclear security programs at the Department of Energy (DOE)
• $2.6 billion (31%) cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• $776 million (11%) cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Elimination of the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
• Elimination of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant and education programs

See more analysis: Science, STAT, Quartz, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Hill.

Ultimately, though, it is the responsibility of Congress to set the US budget, and much of Trump's budget proposal has little chance of being enacted. This proposal does, though, indicate how little value the administration places on science and the programs that protect our health, environment, and wellbeing.

To learn more, join RISE Stronger for a webinar on the budget this Wednesday, May 24, at 9 pm EDT/6 pm PDT.

Senate Moves on Deregulatory Bills

On Wednesday, May 17, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs voted to send move five bills forward for consideration by the full Senate. These bills, which would weaken the ability of agencies to issue health, safety, consumer and environmental safeguards, have already passed the House and should be watched closely.

• The Regulatory Accountability Act (S.951) would dramatically change how agencies issue regulations: it would create even larger and more costly burdens for agencies to defend rules in court, emphasize the costs of a rule over its benefits, apply White House oversight to independent agencies like the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and increase the power of a small White House to scuttle rules.
• The Midnight Rules Relief Act (S. 34) would allow congress to overturn multiple rules issued at the end of a presidential administration at the same time.
• The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (S.21) would require congressional approval of any major regulation
• The Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2017 (S.579) would add additional requirements for advance notice of rulemaking.
• The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (S.584) would add additional requirements to rulemaking for analyses of impacts on small businesses, whether or not the rule applies to small businesses.

The effect of all of these bills would be to make it harder for agencies to create and revise rules on the environment, health, consumer safety, and more, by slowing down the process and increasing the cost to agencies of preparing and defending the rules.

The Public Speaks Up for Environmental Protections

The EPA's call for comments on regulations that should be repealed, replaced, or modified (in response to a Trump executive order) closed on Monday, May 15, and the response was enormous. Over 100,000 comments were submitted, and the vast majority expressed support for the EPA's mission of protecting human health and the environment. People shared their experiences and memories from when the country's air and water were far dirtier than today, and made comments such as: "Environmental regulations came about for a reason. It is not a conspiracy to harm corporations." For their part, industry comments focused mostly on making it easier to get permits for new facilities that would be potential polluters, like power plants and factories, and opposed tightening of standards for ozone and other air pollutants.

FCC Votes Against Net Neutrality Over Public Opposition

At its meeting on Thursday, May 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 2-1, along party lines, to proceed with Chairman Ajit Pai's plans to dismantle the Obama administration's 2015 rules on net neutrality (see the full notice here). This move comes against steep public opposition, with over two million public comments received to date. Public commenting is open until July 17.

Republicans Introduce New Internet Privacy Bill

Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who chairs the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology introduced a new internet privacy bill (H.R.2520) on Thursday, May 18. The bill proposes rules similar to those that Republicans voted to eliminate earlier this year, with a few differences. In addition to internet service providers (ISPs; such as Comcast, Time-Warner, and AT&T) the proposed privacy rules would also apply to "edge providers" (i.e. web platforms like Google and Facebook). However, instead of the FCC, the rules would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is seen as a less powerful or proactive regulatory body.

Updating Government IT

On Wednesday, May 17, the House passed the Modernizing Government Technology Act, aimed at helping agencies update aging technology.

ARPA-E Grants Unfrozen

It was reported last week week that the DOE has released funding for Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) grants that had been frozen since April.

Nominations and Confirmations

• On Thursday, May 18, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a confirmation hearing on David Bernhardt, Trump's nominee to be Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Interior. Bernhardt has raised questions for his work as an energy lobbyist in particular.
• Trump is expected to nominate Sam Clovis to be Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This prospective nomination has raised some questions due to Clovis' lack of a scientific background.
• On Wednesday, May 24, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing for Vishal Amin, nominated to be the White House's Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.
• On Thursday, May 25, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is scheduled to hold confirmation hearings for Dan Brouillette, nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson, both nominated to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee. The Senate Committee on the Judiciary is scheduled to hold votes on Noel Francisco, nominated to be Solicitor General of the United States, and Makan Delrahim, nominated to Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division.

Congressional Hearings

• The House Subcommittee on the Environment is holding a hearing on "Expanding the Role of States in EPA Rulemaking" on Tuesday, May 23, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Among those testifying is Deborah Swackhamer, who serves as chair of EPA's Board of Scientific Counselors (which has recently been targeted by the Trump administration) and who has previously served as chair of the EPA's Science Advisory Board (which has been targeted by congressional Republicans).
• The Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness is holding a hearing on "Reopening the American Frontier: Exploring How the Outer Space Treaty Will Impact American Commerce and Settlement in Space" on Tuesday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Action Items

• The FCC needs to hear from you in order to save net neutrality regulations. Learn more here, and submit comments directly here.
• The Trump administration is letting the National Forensic Science Commission expire. You can submit comments through June 9. Learn more here, and submit comments directly here.
• The Department of the Interior is conducting a review of certain National Monuments designated or expanded since 1996. Of note, comments for Bear Ears National Monument must be submitted before Friday, May 26. All other comments are due before July 10, 2017. Learn more here, and submit comments directly here.
• 314 Action is asking the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to hold a hearing on the Scientific Integrity Act (S.338), which would help protect science from political interference. Take action here.
• EPA administrator Pruitt has decided to overturn the ban on the pesticide Chlorpyrofos, which has been shown to cause birth defects and has already been banned for home use. The EPA is accepting public comments on this decision until June 5. Learn more here, and submit comments directly here.
• Join the National Resources Defense Council in telling your senators to vote No on the REINS Act. Take action here.
• Join RISE Stronger for a webinar on the budget this Wednesday, May 24, at 9 pm EDT/6 pm PDT.

Questions to Ask Your Member of Congress

• How will you stand up to legislation that would weaken the ability of agencies to do their jobs safeguarding the public against health, consumer, and environmental risks?
• How will you push back against the President's budget, which eliminates vital programs on science and technology, including those focused on climate change and environmental justice?