Following is a statement by Association of American Universities President Mary Sue Coleman expressing her disappointment in Congress’s failure to pass a bipartisan budget agreement:
Our elected leaders have unfortunately failed the American people. By engaging in extreme partisan politics at the expense of the American people and ignoring the lessons of 2013, critical federal research and higher education programs now find themselves in peril.
The government-university partnership that has long bolstered American innovation, public health, and national security is once again threatened. America’s university researchers, who conduct groundbreaking research on behalf of our nation’s taxpayers, now face needless uncertainty about the future of their work. At a time when our global economic competitors are rapidly gaining ground, reliable federal investment in research is more important than ever.
We urge Congress and the administration to swiftly reach a long-term bipartisan funding agreement that works for the American people.
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.