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Policy Blog
The AAS Public Policy team uses the Policy Blog to communicate with the membership about current events in the science policy world. Most policy blog posts are written by the John N. Bahcall Public Policy Fellow.
Breakdown of OMB Proposed Rule: Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
4 Jun 2026
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed severe, legally binding restrictions on federal grants and changes to the grantmaking process. We break down the main changes impacting the scientific community. We...
AIP Offers New Resources for International Physicists and Astronomers
20 May 2026
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) has published new resources on US visa and immigration policy for international astronomers and physicists.
Anyone Can Make a Difference
20 May 2025
Dr. Samantha Garza from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory shares her experiences from the AAS's Congressional Visits Day.
Policy Update (19 May 2026)
19 May 2026
The Fiscal Year 2027 House Commerce-Justice-Science report was released. The AAS submitted a comment to the Federal Communications Commission on Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff.
House FY27 CJS Report: NASA, NSF, and DOE Details
19 May 2026
The House Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations Report was released on 12 May. In this post, we outline the details related to the astronomical sciences.
Policy Update (6 May 2026)
6 May 2026
The House Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Subcommittee released their FY27 appropriations bill. All 24 members of the National Science Board have been fired. AAS sent letters to CJS and Energy-Water Subcommittees...
President's Statement on the Reported Dismissal of the National Science Board
28 Apr 2026
AAS President Dara Norman issues a statement expressing concern about the reported dismissal of the National Science Board.
Proposed Federal Science Cuts Threaten Our Future. We Went to Congress to Fight Back.
28 Apr 2026
Dr. Dan Peluso, educator at Griffin Academy and researcher at the SETI Institute, shares his experiences advocating for science and education at AAS–American Association of Physics Teachers Congressional Visits Day.
Policy Update (22 April 2026)
22 Apr 2026
The House is beginning to mark up FY 2027 appropriations bills. NASA budget hearings are planned for this week. The AAS and the American Association of Physics Teachers held 45 congressional meetings during Congressional...
2026 Week of Action in Support of Federal Funding for the Sciences
8 Apr 2026
Federal funding for science is once again under serious threat. We urge you to take action to remind Congress of the importance of federal funding for the sciences.