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Author: Benjamin Corb

The deal is done ?>

The deal is done

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Today, President Donald Trump signed into law an omnibus spending package funding the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year.  The package, drafted by congressional leaders, largely rejected the president’s FY17 spending recommendations, which proposed a $1.2 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health and a $350 million cut to the National Science Foundation. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology criticized the president’s FY17 spending plan as well as his budget outline for FY18, saying,…

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ASBMB partners with March for Science ?>

ASBMB partners with March for Science

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Today, we are proud to announce that the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an official partner with the March for Science. On April 22, in cities and towns all across America, scientists – and science enthusiasts – will participate in marches raising awareness for the important role that science and scientists play in improving the quality of life and well-being of Americans. In her piece for ASBMB Today this month, ASBMB President Natalie Ahn had this to…

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ASBMB responds to Trump budget proposal that threatens funding for 2,000 research projects ?>

ASBMB responds to Trump budget proposal that threatens funding for 2,000 research projects

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President Donald Trump on Monday night released his budget-reduction request for fiscal year 2017, and the National Institutes of Health did not escape the chopping block. Given that Congress failed to complete FY17 spending bills, much of the federal government has been operating under a continuing resolution that keeps federal spending at FY16 levels until April 28. In his request, Trump calls for $17.9 billion total in cuts for FY17, including a $1.23 billion cut to the National Institutes of…

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Scientists hear mixed messages on political support for biomedical research and the NIH ?>

Scientists hear mixed messages on political support for biomedical research and the NIH

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The White House’s budget rollout last week sent shockwaves through the scientific community broadly and National Institutes of Health supporters specifically.  President Donald Trump, in his “skinny budget” release, called for a $5.8 billion cut to the NIH’s budget, 19 percent of fiscal year 2016 appropriations for the agency.  The cut came as a surprise because the agency historically has enjoyed bipartisan support. The president’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, made Trump’s intentions clear at a press conference last week.  “This…

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ASBMB Statement on President Donald Trump’s FY2018 Budget Proposal ?>

ASBMB Statement on President Donald Trump’s FY2018 Budget Proposal

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President Donald Trump released his first budget proposal on Thursday.  Included in that proposal is a $5.8 billion cut in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Benjamin Corb, director of public affairs for the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has provided the following statement in response to the proposal: A $6 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health is unacceptable to the scientific community and should be unacceptable to the American public as well.  Trump’s spending…

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ASBMB statement on President Donald J. Trump’s executive order restricting immigration ?>

ASBMB statement on President Donald J. Trump’s executive order restricting immigration

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In response to an executive order on immigration issued by President Donald J. Trump on Friday, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology released the following statement: The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, an organization representing more than 11,000 biomedical researchers, educators and students, is concerned about the potential impact on the nation’s biomedical enterprise resulting from President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations. The ASBMB is an international organization. Some of its…

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ASBMB statement supporting peer-reviewed science at federal agencies ?>

ASBMB statement supporting peer-reviewed science at federal agencies

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The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology believes that peer-reviewed science should remain free of politicization, and we support the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and all federally funded scientific agencies in their efforts to continue on their missions without political interference.

What we’re watching for ?>

What we’re watching for

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The 115th Congress has begun its legislative work, and we’re five days into the presidency of Donald Trump.  To say that Washington, D.C., is active in these early days of 2017 is an understatement. The focus of political leaders is not – shockingly – how to handle biomedical research and science policy over the next couple of years.  The spotlight is focused on the future of the Affordable Care Act, who is going to pay for a southern border war,…

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NIH transition – trying to provide clarity ?>

NIH transition – trying to provide clarity

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Today has been an interesting day, and it is best explained chronologically. This morning, ASBMB public affairs staff learned that an email went out today to senior National Institutes of Health officials apparently instituting new, though temporary, procedures for correspondence with public officials.  The email states that all correspondence must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. The e-mail reads: “Colleagues,  For your additional awareness, please note that we have been directed not to send any correspondence to…

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UPDATE: NIH Director Francis Collins to stay on in Trump Administration ?>

UPDATE: NIH Director Francis Collins to stay on in Trump Administration

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Update January 20, 2017 As the news broke yesterday that Dr. Collins would be held over as the Director of the NIH, we have looked for more details regarding Dr. Collins’ continuation.  As was reported widely in the media yesterday, Trump transition officials asked more then 50 senior level officials from the Obama administration to “hold over” in their current positions, while the Trump Administration continues to fill out its permanent staff.  It remains unclear if Dr. Collins is a…

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