SETAC North America’s Advocacy Work Under Current U.S. Political Climate
Tamar Schlekat, SETAC North America Executive Director
SETAC advocates for public policies that advance our mission and support our principles and values. While SETAC does not engage in politics or lobbying for specific regulations, SETAC has never shied from globally advocating for policies that encourage science-informed decision-making and those in support of environmental sciences and environmental professionals. Please see the SETAC Advocacy webpage to learn about what SETAC advocates for, how SETAC facilitates that work, and how members can engage.
In response to recent developments in the United States affecting issues central to SETAC’s mission and values, SETAC North America, under the oversight of the Board of Directors, has stepped up advocacy efforts. This includes collaborating on letters addressed to U.S. executive and legislative leaders as well as on amicus briefs submitted to the judicial branch.
SETAC North America has organized and endorsed several organizational sign-on letters, which were sent to relevant congressional committees. Some of these letters are listed below. Often such letters can benefit from having individuals amplify them to their congressional representatives with their own personalized plea. We encourage members interested in advocacy to do so.
SETAC North America has also endorsed some amicus letters to relevant courts in support of ongoing lawsuits pushing back on actions that are in direct opposition to SETAC’s mission and values. Amicus briefs in support of lawsuits asking for injunctions against actions such as eliminating diversity in science programs, cutting grant funding and terminating government employees are prioritized. Amicus briefs filed to date are listed below.
Join SETAC’s Advocacy Efforts
Individual advocacy efforts strengthen our collective impact. Please see the SETAC Advocacy webpage to learn about how you can make an impact.
Contact: [email protected].
Recent Letters Endorsed by SETAC North American
Letter urging Congress to reject the proposed 38% cut to the National Institutes of Health budget included in the president’s fiscal year 2026 budget to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees, sent in June.
Letter in Response to Improving Performance, Accountability and Responsiveness in the Civil Service, sent to the Office of Personnel Management on 6 June.
Letter urging Congress to support the National Science Foundation and exercise their oversight authority to the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, sent on 30 May.
Letter in support of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA), sent to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees on 9 May.
Letter urging for Transparency and Oversight Regarding Agency Reduction-in-Force and Reorganization Plans Affecting Scientific and Health Priorities, sent to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finances and the U.S. House Committees on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on 8 May.
Letter in support of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA), sent to the U.S. Department of the Interior on 30 April.
Letter in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Science and Technology Account for fiscal year 2026, sent to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees on 30 April.
Letter of concern over the fiscal year 2026 budget for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, sent to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees on 25 April.
Letter Urging Reconsideration of Policy Changes That Threaten Public Health, the Environment, and Economic Stability, sent to the U.S. Senate and House Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology on 25 April.
Letter regarding Protecting U.S. Scientific Research and Integrity, sent to the U.S. congressional leaders from both parties on 4 March.
Letter recommending Prioritization of Robust Funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the fiscal year 2025 Appropriations Bill, sent to the U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees on 25 February.
Recent Amicus Briefs Co-Filed by SETAC North American
Amici curiae that urges the court to grant preliminary injunction against the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) termination of the Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) grant program – a program that supports excellent researchers and promotes diversity in the biomedical sciences, sent on 2 May.