Flake Amendment to Prohibit NSF Funding of Political Science Passes House
LEGISLATIVE ALERT - June 6, 2012
On May 9, Rep. Flake (R-AZ) signaled his intent to try and eliminate the political science program at NSF. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to prohibit NSF political science funding. The vote was 218-208 (5 Democrats voted "yes," and 26 Republicans voted "no").
The National Science Foundation’s political science program provides essential funding for cutting-edge social science research. As even Representative Flake (R-AZ) noted, “The work of political scientists advances the knowledge and understanding of citizenship and government, politics, and this shouldn't be minimized.”
The Senate will soon consider this legislation, and a similar amendment will be proposed. Please contact both of your Senators immediately regarding the elimination of the Political Science program at NSF. Click here for a list of senators and their contact information. Write a letter to your Senators today.
ADVOCACY
Send an Email/Letter to Your Senator
"What Has NSF Wrought" by Rick Wilson, Editor, American Journal of Political Science
Sample Email To Be Sent to University Government Relations Office
Political Science Serving the Public Interest: Letter by Department Chairs
Talking Points about NSF & Political Science from the APSA
Send an individualized email to your Senators
BACKGROUND
Transcript of the Floor Debate of the Congressional Record (PDF)
List of NSF Grants for Political Science Research
2013 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
SUPPORT FROM OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
Letter in Support of NSF Funding from the Consortium of Social Science Associations
Importance of Merit Review of NSF Proposals from the AAAS
MEDIA COVERAGE
"The value of social science" Letter to the Editor, Washington Post, by Eric M. Uslaner, College Park
"Research: It's so important that someone else should pay for it"
"Yes, political science is a good buy for the public"
"America must invest in research universities — or get left behind" by Sen. Bill Frist
David Brooks Defends Social Science Research
Washington Post Article on NSF Cuts
Any questions about this can be sent to William Morgan (morgan at mpsanet dot org).