Action Alert: Protecting Astronomical Programs in Fiscal Year 2026

Both the House and Senate have largely rejected the proposed major cuts to science agencies and programs in their FY2026 appropriations bills, but Congress must still reach a bipartisan agreement before these bills can be signed into law. We need your help to ensure that Congress completes its work and provides timely, stable funding for the scientific community. Every voice counts. 

Supporting the prompt passage of FY2026 appropriations for our science agencies, along with the Senate’s proposed funding levels of $7.3 billion for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and $9.0 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF), will enable the astronomical sciences to continue making discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe while driving innovation, education, and economic growth across the nation. 

We have provided an example phone and email script to help you craft your message. Please share some details about the work you do that is enabled by federal funding in the "Personal message" box. The most effective action would be to both email and call your representatives, but if you can only do one, a phone call is more likely to have an immediate impact. Muster will connect you with all three of your representatives in succession, so please end each call with the star (*) button instead of the end-call button to be automatically directed to your next representative. 

Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions before reaching out to your representatives. Please note that any messages with crude or inflammatory language will not be passed on, and please be respectful during any communications with Congressional offices (messages should align with the AAS Mission and Vision Statement and AAS Code of Ethics).  

Thank you for advocating for your research and the U.S. astronomical community.