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Public Policy
AAS Alarmed by Rumored Deep Cuts to NASA and National Science Foundation
7 Mar 2025
Recent reports have indicated that the White House may soon be proposing drastic cuts to future budgets for the National Science Foundation and the NASA Science Mission Directorate.
Webinar: Advocacy for the Astronomical Sciences
4 Mar 2025
The AAS policy team will be hosting a webinar on 19 March to discuss how you can take action to support the astronomical sciences. Come join us and get involved in public policy!
Policy Update (4 March 2025)
4 Mar 2025
Layoffs continue at federal agencies. Congress is working to avoid a government shutdown. AAS members have sent over 1,100 emails in support of space science.
DC Policy Update (18 February 2025)
18 Feb 2025
Thousands of federal “probationary” employees have been or are expected to be laid off this week. Anonymous sources are warning of heavy cuts to NSF's budget.
DC Policy Update
4 Feb 2025
The Trump administration has issued over 40 executive orders and memorandums since taking office. Here we offer a quick synopsis regarding the actions that are mostly directly related to the work of our community.
AAS Honors Reps. Don Bacon and Judy Chu with Award for Public Service to the Astronomical Sciences
15 Jun 2026
The American Astronomical Society has named US Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Judy Chu (CA-28) as the 2026 recipients of the AAS Award for Public Service to the Astronomical Sciences.
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.
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.
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.
The FY27 President’s Budget Request: NASA, NSF, and DOE Details
8 Apr 2026
We break down the details of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) President’s Budget Request for NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy Office of Science, and highlight the significant details for the...