The November 2014 elections brought an end to the political tenure of two strong supporters of science: Reps. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ), neither of whom were seeking re-election. Wolf, a solid ally of the scientists who receive funding from the National Science Foundation, helped secure increases for the agency during a challenging appropriations process this year and for the last decade. Holt has worked diligently to support research during his time in Congress. On the Senate side, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) will assume the position of Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She had introduced an energy plan in February of 2013 which will likely be the foundation of initiatives early in her tenure as leader of the committee. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will now be led by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) whose interests include working on overhauling federal education policy.
Following these elections, AIP government relations will continue to cover science policy news through FYI and will work in coalitions and with the Member Societies on initiatives and outreach to the new and returning members of the House and Senate. Science has historically received bipartisan support, and the science policy community will be looking to foster new champions of science on Capitol Hill.
