A Light at the End of a Very Long Tunnel
After a new and disturbing (to say the least) record was set Wednesday for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the end may — emphasis on “may” — finally be in sight. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the shutdown has already cost the U.S. economy more than $7 billion in lost GDP, more than double the cost of the 2019 shutdown. If it extends another week, losses could reach $11 billion.
Congressional leaders are reportedly discussing a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep most of the government funded at current levels into January. For select agencies, the CR could be paired with a smaller package of full-year spending bills including Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch.
Senators are meeting behind closed doors to determine whether there is sufficient bipartisan support to bring a bill to the floor this weekend, and any plan would need House approval. Still, for the first time in weeks, there finally appears to be light at the end of this alarmingly long tunnel.
Health Research Wins: Health research funding won in Texas on Tuesday. The majority (68.6%) of voters in Texas approved $3 billion to establish a state research institute to address the “causes, means of prevention, and treatments for dementia” and related diseases. The success of Proposition 14 provides more evidence that our nation wants faster medical progress. And we know from our commissioned survey that 92% of Americans across the country – and across the political spectrum – say it’s important for the president and Congress to assign a higher priority to ensuring faster medical progress. Read more about the vote in Texas here (subscription required). Learn more about Americans’ views on health and medical research here.
Shutdown RIFs: Last week, a federal judge blocked the administration from laying off approximately 4,000 additional federal employees during the government shutdown. This reduction in force (RIF) is currently on hold as the judge’s preliminary injunction is argued in court. Read more about this case here. Stay up to date about the administration’s actions with our tracker, available here.
Tracing the Value of Science: Researchers have developed a new AI visualization system that provides a multi-faceted look at the role science plays in society. Rather than focusing solely on papers and citations, the platform links millions of research grants to outcomes like patents, public policy developments, clinical trials, and even media coverage. Read more about this AI tool here.
Share Our Infographic: We have updated our R&D pipeline infographic, demonstrating the collaborative nature of research throughout all its stages. Share this infographic by reposting our entries on X, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
China’s S&T Progress: Caroline S. Wagner of The Ohio State University published a recent policy note with the Quincy Institute, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., about China’s ascendance in science. (Read the article online here.) As China becomes a world leader in science and technology (S&T), there couldn’t be a worse time for our country to take our foot off the gas. To stay competitive, we must advance our own capabilities in science, invest in research, and unlock the full potential of our S&T workforce. To that end, the Vision for American Science and Technology (VAST) provides a roadmap to strengthen our nation’s leadership on the global stage. Access the VAST plan here.
Civic Science Funding Opportunities: We are accepting applications for our Civic Engagement Microgrant Program and Public Engagement Content Awards. These initiatives fund STEM groups leading public engagement projects and support the development of open-access curricula to help researchers connect with non-scientific audiences. Please share these funding opportunities with your networks. The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 21. Have questions about Research!America’s Civic Science funding opportunities? Join us tomorrow, Nov. 7, at 3 p.m. ET or on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m. ET for information sessions! Register here for tomorrow’s event. Register for next week’s session here.
Fall Events: Mark your calendar:
- We will host a Health Services Research (HSR) Capitol Hill Briefing on Monday, Nov. 17, at 8:30 a.m. ET (breakfast will be served). This briefing will shed light on the role of HSR, an undervalued and underutilized area of research critical to ensuring that medical progress translates into patient benefits. The briefing will be held at 2044 Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. Register here.
- Don’t miss our next Alliance Discussion on Nov. 12, at noon ET with Dr. Nakela L. Cook, executive director of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Join us as Dr. Cook shares insights on PCORI’s role in advancing patient-centered research and highlights current and upcoming initiatives. This event is open to the public. Register here.
Support Our Work: As the government shutdown continues to threaten the nation’s research ecosystem, your support matters more than ever. From pushing back against funding threats to convening the research community and providing vital resources, Research!America’s advocacy ensures science remains a national priority. Join us in defending progress – your support powers our work and amplifies your voice. Donate now.