Following is a statement by Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman on the FY18 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1625).
We applaud House and Senate leaders for forging a bipartisan compromise on final FY18 funding.
By providing increased science and student aid investments, the omnibus will strengthen America’s extraordinary government-university partnership, which has for decades led to improved public health, innovation, economic growth, and unmatched military superiority. The significant funding increases for NIH, NASA, and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science are especially important to advancing American leadership in biomedical and physical sciences.
We also thank Congress for rejecting proposals to eliminate the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Energy Department’s ARPA-E, choosing instead to sustain the vital work of each.
Members yesterday also provided much-needed clarification on the Dickey Amendment, which has for years served as a barrier to federally-sponsored gun violence research. This new guidance will help to reinvigorate research that is fundamental to sound public policy. We commend Congress for taking such decisive action.
AAU and its member universities urge Congress to approve the measure this week to wrap-up overdue FY18 appropriations decisions.
Founded in 1900, the Association of American Universities comprises 62 distinguished institutions that continually advance society through education, research, and discovery.
Our universities earn the majority of competitively awarded federal funding for academic research, are improving human life and wellbeing through research, and are educating tomorrow’s visionary leaders and global citizens.
AAU members collectively help shape policy for higher education, science, and innovation; promote best practices in undergraduate and graduate education; and strengthen the contributions of research universities to society.
