[Senate Hearing 118-]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2023
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U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
[Clerk's note.--The subcommittee was unable to hold
hearings on departmental and nondepartmental witnesses. The
statements and letters of those submitting written testimony
are as follows:]
DEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
Prepared Statement of American Physiological Society
The American Physiological Society (APS) thanks you for your
sustained support of science at the NSF and NASA. In this statement we
offer our recommendations for FY 2023 funding levels for these two
agencies.
--The APS urges you to fund the FY 2023 NSF budget at a level of at
least $11 billion to prevent further erosion of program
capacity and allow researchers to take advantage of scientific
opportunities.
--The APS urges you to restore cuts to NASA's life sciences research
budgets and to increase funding for the Human Research Program.
NSF and NASA support scientific research and technology development
programs essential to the future technological excellence and economic
stability of the United States. Federal investment in this research is
critically important because breakthroughs in basic and translational
research provide the foundation for new technologies to fuel our
economy and make it possible for the United States to remain a global
leader in science, technology and engineering. According to the 2022
Science and Engineering Indicators, other countries including China
continue to increase basic research funding at a rate that outpaces the
growth of U.S. investments.\1\
nsf funds outstanding research and education programs
NSF provides support for 24% of all federally funded basic
scientific research, including 65% of the support for non-medical
research in biology. NSF invests in basic biological research across a
broad spectrum of sub-disciplines along with the equipment and other
infrastructure scientists need for their work. Time and time again we
have seen that knowledge gained through basic biological research
provides a foundation for more applied studies that sustain the health
of animals, humans and ecosystems. Moreover, NSF-funded research has
led to countless new and unexpected discoveries that could not have
been envisioned when the research began. These unforeseen applications
have had enormous impacts on science, health and the world's economy.
94% of the NSF budget directly funds research and education. Most
of this funding is awarded through highly competitive grants, which
support over 300,000 researchers across all 50 States.\2\ The NSF is
the only Federal agency that supports basic research across all
disciplines of science and engineering, and its continued funding is
critical for the development of the next generation of scientists. NSF
has an exemplary record of funding research with far-reaching
potential. Since its inception in 1950, NSF has supported the work of
248 Nobel Laureates, including the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for
the development of CRISPR gene editing technology. Although there are
many promising applications of CRISPR technology, such as rapid
diagnosis of diseases like COVID-19, its discovery started as
curiosity-driven basic science.
Biological research is just one part of the NSF portfolio. The APS
believes that each of the NSF directorates support research that is
critical to NSF's mission ``to promote the progress of science; to
advance the National health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the
National defense.'' Collaboration among scientific disciplines is
increasingly recognized as the best and most efficient way to advance
science. This will only be possible with strong support for all
disciplines of research.
In addition to funding innovative research in labs around the
country, NSF education programs foster the next generation of
scientists. The APS is proud to have partnered with NSF in programs to
provide training opportunities and career development activities to
enhance the participation of underrepresented minorities in science. We
believe that NSF is uniquely suited to foster science education
programs of the highest quality, and we recommend that Congress
continues to provide Federal funds for science education through the
NSF.
The APS joins the Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (FASEB) in recommending that the NSF be funded at a level of at
least $11 billion in FY 2023. The NSF budget has been flat in real
terms for approximately the last 15 years. When former NSF Director Dr.
France Cordova testified before the House Appropriations subcommittee
on Commerce, Justice and Science on March 26, 2019, she stated that
each year the NSF receives approximately $4 billion worth of well-rated
proposals that the agency is unable to fund within its current budget.
Providing the agency with a significant budget increase would allow the
NSF to support approximately 2,000 additional research grants. The NSF
is poised to address major challenges facing our Nation and our world
in the 21st Century, but it needs adequate resources to continue to
carry out its mission.
support for life sciences research should be increased at nasa
NASA sponsors research across a broad range of the basic and
applied life sciences, including gravitational biology, biomedical
research and the Human Research Program (HRP). The gravitational
biology and biomedical research programs explore fundamental scientific
questions through research carried out both on Earth and aboard the
International Space Station, which provides an environment for the
conduct of experiments in space. NASA's HRP conducts focused research
and develops countermeasures with the goal of enabling safe and
productive human space exploration. The program funds more than 300
research grants that go to academic researchers in more than 30 States
around the country.
During prolonged space flight, the physiological changes that occur
due to weightlessness, increased exposure to radiation, confined living
quarters, and alterations in eating and sleeping patterns can lead to
debilitating conditions and reduced ability to perform tasks.
Scientists are actively engaged in research that explores the
physiological basis of these problems with the goal of contributing to
the identification of therapeutic targets and development of novel
countermeasures. One of the most well-known studies of these
physiological changes is the NASA Twin Study which compared identical
twins and fellow astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly to document changes
that occurred following Scott Kelly's 1 year mission aboard the
International Space Station.\3\ The knowledge gained from this research
is not only relevant to humans traveling in space, but is also directly
applicable to human health on Earth. For example, some of the muscle
and bone changes observed in astronauts after prolonged space flight
are similar to those seen in patients confined to bed rest during
periods of critical illness as well as during the process of aging.
NASA is the only agency whose mission addresses the biomedical
challenges of human space exploration. Over the past several years, the
amount of money available for conducting this kind of research at NASA
has dwindled. In the past, appropriations legislation specified funding
levels for biomedical research and gravitational biology, but ongoing
internal reorganizations at NASA have made it difficult to understand
how much money is being spent on these programs from year to year. The
APS recommends that funding streams for these important fundamental
research programs be clearly identified and tracked within the NASA
budget. The APS also recommends restoration of cuts to peer-reviewed
life sciences research to allow NASA-funded scientists to conduct
research that will be critical not only for supporting the success of
future long-range manned space exploration but also in leading to
innovative discoveries that can be applied to Earth-based medicine. As
highlighted above, investment in the basic sciences is vital to our
Nation's technological and economic future. This innovative engine of
research fuels our world leadership and our economy. The APS urges you
to make every effort to provide these agencies with increased funding
for FY 2023.
Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on
how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and
disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global,
multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists
and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery,
understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration
and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals
and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.
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\1\ https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20221/executive-summary.
\2\ https://www.nsf.gov/news/factsheets/
Factsheet_By%20the%20Numbers_05_21_V02.pdf.
\3\ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-twins-study-confirms-
preliminary-findings.
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Prepared Statement of Department of Justice
Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations--Subcommittee on
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, my name is Abigail
Echo-Hawk, and I am an enrolled citizen of the Pawnee Nation of
Oklahoma, currently living in an urban Indian community in Seattle,
Washington. I am Executive Vice President of the Seattle Indian Health
Board (SIHB) and the Director of Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI)
where I oversee policy, research, data, and evaluation initiatives. To
uphold the legislative mandate of the Not Invisible Act and Savanna's
Act required by the Department of Justice and Department of Interior, I
would like to request an oversight hearing on this issue. The Not
Invisible Act and Savanna's Act are critical for addressing the Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) crisis. Each day these
go unfulfilled our Tribes, communities, and individuals affected by
MMIWP go unserved.
I am an American Indian health researcher with more than 20 years
of experience in both academic and non-profit settings. I participate
in numerous local, State, and Federal efforts to support AI/AN
communities in research, including serving on the Tribal Collaborations
Workgroup for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us
precision medicine initiative. I am also a recent member of the NIH
Office of AIDs Research Advisory Council as the only Native
representative. I am a co-author to four groundbreaking research
studies on sexual violence and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
and Girls (MMIWG) where I have called national attention to the
institutional barriers in data collection, reporting, and analysis of
demographic data that perpetuate violence against AI/AN people. I am a
member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
(NASEM) Standing Committee for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Center for Preparedness and Response (SCPR).
Additionally, I serve on Washington State Office of the Attorney
General's task force for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and
People.
bringing national attention to the mmiwp crisis
In 2018, UIHI released a groundbreaking report titled, Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report.\1\ Through the first
publication and multiple reports released since then, UIHI continues to
identify gaps in local to Federal data collection methods on AI/AN
people, gaps in gender-based violence care continuation, and lack of
Federal funding available to meet the unique and prompting needs of
Indigenous communities.
Since the release of our initial report, UIHI continues to document
the existing resiliency and cultural strengths that combat the MMIWP
crisis. In 2022, UIHI released Supporting the Sacred: Womxn of
Resilience\2\ which gathered the voices of AI/AN survivors and
recommended increased and flexible funding for housing stability, legal
representation, behavioral health, and investing in community services
to reduce survivors' unmet needs. The report also found the
relationship between law enforcement, providers, and survivors could be
improved through culturally responsive training and authentic
relationship-building. Finally, the report concludes by stressing
gender-based violence services and programming be led by Native experts
and communities to ensure utmost care of our people.
In 2022, we also released Service as Ceremony: A Journey toward
Healing,\3\ which identified the intersectional impacts COVID-19 had on
AI/AN experiencing intimate partner violence from the perspective of
direct service providers. Recommendations to mitigate intimate partner
violence includes training medical providers to work with AI/AN
communities, support increased funding for community-based programming
and services, and promote cross-system coordination amongst responders,
Tribes, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Our reports continuously demand improved data collection on AI/AN
populations, cross-system coordination, and increased investments to
our community-based organizations serving AI/AN survivors, victims,
families, and community members affected by violence.
equity determination by the gao and department of justice (doj) equity
plan
In 2021, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released
Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women: New Efforts Are Underway but
Opportunities Exist to Improve the Federal Response\4\ documenting the
Department of Interior (DOI) and the Department of Justice's (DOJ)
Federal implementation failures to implement the Not Invisible Act and
Savanna's Act of 2019. The GAO report recommended DOJ and DOI fulfill
their legislative mandates by: developing a plan accomplish ongoing
analyses of data in existing Federal databases; developing a strategy
to educate the public on entering data into NamUs; developing a plan to
conduct outreach to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian
organizations (UIO) to enter data into NamUs, and; and encouraging the
Secretary of the Interior to appoint members to the Not Invisible
Commission. The lack of Federal implementation of these legislative
mandates perpetuates the cycle of violence against Indigenous bodies
when Indian Country continues to demand action, accountability, and
justice for our loved ones.
In alignment with Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity
and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
and the DOJ--Equity Action Plan, we request the DOJ engage with
underserved communities more effectively to increase reporting of
crimes; ensure appropriate consideration of the needs of victims, and;
improve the dissemination of resources, programs, and services. These
efforts will honor the government-to-government relationship with
Tribal communities and strengthen agency communication with front line
responders to the MMIWP crisis.
improving doj's approaches and response to violence
Due to unique legal jurisdictional precedent on Tribal lands,
Indian Country relies on the efforts of DOJ to assist violent crimes on
and off Tribal lands. We request Congress oversee the implementation of
Savanna's Act by the DOJ and ensure their equity plans do not go
dismissed.
A continuous issue that affects both Tribal regions and urban
areas, is the lack of multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional
coordination for MMIWP. Tribal, Federal, State, and local jurisdictions
often offer disjointed responses that leave crime victims and families
without appropriate intervention resources and no way to hold officials
accountable. Similar to DOJ creating an MMIP website available for
anyone, DOJ must support improved communication amongst Tribes, State
and local law enforcement, and community members through a nationwide
data system to document missing and endangered Indigenous people.
Additionally, DOJ can improve coordination between law enforcement and
providers to assure victims, survivors, and families have access to
programs, services, and activities that offer culturally responsive
wraparound services in the local area.
In Washington state, a historical missing and endangered Indigenous
persons advisory alert was created which will notify law enforcement,
Tribal areas, and the public. Similar to an Amber Alert, Washington
state patrol will respond to the call, and maintain the clearinghouse
associated with the call line for individuals impacted by MMIWP. These
State-based solutions can begin to bridge the jurisdictional gaps
associated with MMIWP, and create a unified approach for Tribal,
Federal, State, and local responses.
In 2021, UIHI released A Step Toward Justice,\5\ a case study
documenting our efforts within the 13th largest county in the Nation,
King County, to improve the accuracy of data collected on AI/AN
populations. To address the misrepresentation and undercount of missing
and murdered crimes against AI/AN people, UIHI led the creation of data
fields for law enforcement to utilize and provided data collection
techniques to improve accurate reporting on race/ethnicity, AI/AN
identity, and Tribal affiliation. These efforts support law
enforcement's improved data collection reporting from interactions with
AI/AN people to better document AI/AN people affected by violence. We
have created a national model that DOJ can use to support national
efforts to identify AI/AN crime victims more accurately and correctly
by engaging with Tribes, community leaders, and Tribal epidemiology
centers.
addressing the increase of intimate partner violence through flexible
funding
We are appreciative of the gender-based violence funding being made
available to UIOs through the reauthorization of Violence Against
Women's Act (VAWA). COVID supplements illuminated the various ways in
which wraparound service providers can mediate authentic responses for
Native survivors during times of a pandemic. During Tribal
consultations held with the DOJ, Indian Country continuously asks for
investments in our grassroot, community-based organizations, and Tribal
organizations providing low-barrier direct service to both urban and
rural AI/AN people. Our Native providers continue to offer unmatched
services that must receive renewable, and flexible funding to respond
to institutional inequities that perpetuate violence against Indigenous
bodies.
COVID-19 exacerbated social determinants of health in AI/AN
communities including income, housing, health, and safety. During the
stay-at-home orders, AI/AN women experienced an increase in intimate
partner violence,\6\ exposing them to additional traumas and placing
them at greater risk of becoming unhoused. Many survivors of violence
turned to cultural services to escape unsafe conditions. Through
flexible spending, our Native providers were able to offer centralized
services to address social determinants of health that can often lead
to increased risks of intimate partner violence. During the pandemic,
cultural healing spaces were created by providers and grew to support
survivors' access to behavioral health, medical services, continuing
education, and employment opportunities. However, additional, and long-
term funding is needed to support health access, legal services,
educational opportunities, and on the ground support to care for
survivors' and victims' holistic needs.
A multi-pronged systemic approach to MMIWP will require
implementation of Savanna's Act and Not Invisible Act, multi-
jurisdictional coordination, improved data collection on AI/AN
populations, and increased investment to community-based organizations
responding to the crisis. These efforts will center those most impacted
by MMIWP and address systemic issues plaguing Indian Country.
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\1\ Urban India Health Institute. (November 2018) Missing and
Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Report. Retrieved from: https://
www.uihi.org/projects/our-bodies-our-stories/.
\2\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (May 2021) Supporting the
Sacred: Womxn of Resilience. Retrieved from: https://www.uihi.org/
resources/supporting-the-sacred-womxn-of-resilience/.
\3\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (February 2022) Service as
Ceremony: A Journey toward Healing. Retrieved from: https://
www.uihi.org/resources/service-as-ceremony-a-journey-toward-healing/.
\4\ U.S. Government Accountability Office. (October 2021) Missing
or Murdered Indigenous Women: New Efforts Are Underway but
Opportunities Exist to Improve the Federal Response. Retrieved from:
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-104045.
\5\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (October 2021) A Step Toward
Justice Examining the collaboration between Urban Indian Health
Institute and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the
lessons learned from their partnerships. Retrieved from: https://
www.uihi.org/projects/protecting-the-sacred/.
\6\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (February 2022) Service as
Ceremony: A Journey toward Healing. Retrieved from: https://
www.uihi.org/resources/service-as-ceremony-a-journey-toward-healing/.
[This statement was submitted by Abigail Echo-Hawk]
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Prepared Statement of U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S.
Department of Justice (DOJ)
u.s. department of commerce
North Atlantic Right Whales $26 million
In 2020, North Atlantic right whales were designated as critically
endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN). Elevated mortalities of the species from entanglements in
fishing gear and vessel strikes have been declared an Unusual Mortality
Event (UME) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) since 2017. The annual documented rate of anthropogenic
mortality and serious injury, due to both entanglement in gear and
vessel strikes, has exceeded the population's potential biological
removal level (PBR) since 1995.
In October 2021, scientists from the New England Aquarium released
a new population estimate for North Atlantic right whales, indicating
that the population numbered only 336 as of January 2020, the lowest
assessment in decades.\1\ Right whales are extremely vulnerable to
being caught in the vertical buoy lines used in lobster and crab
trapping gear. Entanglement can lead to drowning, reduced mobility,
and, in some cases, a long, painful death from starvation. Collisions
with vessels of all sizes can also cause serious injuries, such as
blunt force trauma, propeller cuts, and broken bones. Three North
Atlantic right whale calves were killed or seriously injured by vessel
strikes in U.S. waters in the last year. In February 2021, an adult
whale was confirmed dead due to injuries from entanglement. Two other
entangled whales were added to the serious injuries list in 2021.
Studies have shown that mortalities from known entanglements have
continued to increase from 21 percent (1970-2002) to 51 percent (2003-
2018).\2\ Entanglements caused as many as 85 percent of diagnosable
deaths from 2010 to 2015. In February 2021, a study co-authored by
leading North Atlantic right whale scientists found that from 1990-
2017, observed carcasses only accounted for 36 percent of North
Atlantic right whale mortalities.\3\ These ``cryptic mortalities,''
i.e., deaths caused by human activities without an observed carcass,
represent a larger proportion of the total mortality than previously
believed.
The FY22 appropriations omnibus included $21 million for North
Atlantic right whales within the Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Other
Species line item. Within this funding, $2 million was directed to NOAA
for the continuation of a pilot program developing and field-testing
new fishing gear technologies designed to reduce entanglements, and $14
million was provided to States through the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to help defray the cost to the fishing
industry of compliance with the final 2021 rule to modify the Atlantic
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) (FR-210827-0171). We are
immensely grateful for the subcommittee's concern for this species and
the substantial increase in funding but remain deeply concerned with
the effectiveness of the 2021 rule, in that it falls significantly
short of the risk reduction needed to save this species from
extinction.
Within our proposal of $26 million, we believe funding should be
appropriated to NOAA to develop and implement new rules aimed at
reducing the mortality rate of North Atlantic right whales by vessel
strikes, fishing-gear entanglements, and other threats. There must also
be investment in reducing vessel-strike risk in high-traffic areas as
well as a transition to whale-safe fishing gear. We believe the pilot
program to refine and field test innovative fishing gear technologies,
such as ropeless gear, should be expanded, including the development of
geolocation technologies, and recommend $8 million be appropriated
towards this. Lastly, surveys and monitoring, enforcement,
disentanglement, stranding response, and plankton recorder surveys are
crucial to the conservation of this species.
We encourage Congress to direct investment to the development of
ropeless technologies instead of expensive, short-term investments in
``weak rope.'' The use of 1,700-lb breaking strength lines (known as
``weak rope'') may decrease the severity of entanglement injuries
suffered by right whales but does not reduce the likelihood of
entanglement in the first place nor the sub-lethal impacts of
entanglement on whales. This gear also does not reduce the risk of
serious injury or mortality for right whales who are less than 2 years
old.\4\
If we are to save this species, it will require the investment and
cooperation among Congress, agencies, scientists, and industry to find
long-term solutions. We appreciate the subcommittee's recognition of
the urgency of this situation and the funding it continues to provide
for the protection of North Atlantic right whales.
Unusual Mortality Event Contingency Fund $4.5 million
Marine mammals are important indicator species of ocean health.
Monitoring the health of marine mammals, especially during an Unusual
Mortality Event (UME), can reveal emerging threats, potential impacts
of human activities, and the effectiveness of management actions. A UME
is defined as ``a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant
die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate
response.'' There are currently six active UMEs-Alaska ice seals, West
Coast gray whales, Atlantic minke whales, North Atlantic right whales,
Atlantic humpback whales, and Atlantic Florida manatees. In the newest
UME to be declared, the 2021 Atlantic Florida manatee, over 1,000
manatees have died. Rescue organizations are hampered by the lack of
facilities and funds for responding to overwhelming numbers of live
manatees in need of rescue and rehabilitation.
Since 1991, 71 marine mammal UMEs have been declared. The UME
Contingency Fund was established through the Marine Mammal Protection
Act to enable the National Marine Fisheries Service to reimburse marine
mammal stranding network partners for costs related to: caring for and
treating live animals that strand as part of UMEs; collecting,
preparing, and sending biological samples to the National Marine Mammal
Tissue Bank and other diagnostic laboratories to investigate the causes
of UMEs; and collecting important marine mammal health data to inform
and improve future UME responses and marine conservation. Although
Congress created this fund in 1992, it appropriated funds only in 2005;
all other contributions to the Fund have been through voluntary
contributions. Given the growing number of UMEs, $4.5 million should be
allocated to the Unusual Mortality Event Contingency Fund to enable
robust marine mammal stranding response efforts.
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program $8
million
The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
(Prescott Grant Program), a program under NMFS, provides competitive
grants to marine mammal stranding network organizations to do the
following: (1) rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured, or distressed
live marine mammals, and (2) investigate the events surrounding, and
determine the cause of, the death or injury of marine mammals. Over the
past 21 years, the Prescott Grant Program has been vital to protecting
and recovering marine mammals across the country while also generating
critical information regarding marine mammals and their environment. As
the sole source of Federal funding for the National Marine Mammal
Stranding Network, which is comprised of over 90 member organizations
in 26 States, the District of Columbia, two territories, and two
Tribes, robust funding is required for the Prescott Grant Program to
enable it to continue its vital work.
Enforcement and Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) $4 million
The Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) was established in
2016 to require U.S. importers of certain fish and fish products to
provide and report key data, with the aim of uncovering illegal,
unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and/or seafood fraud and
preventing it from entering U.S. commerce. The program oversees imports
of 13 species groups (which are comprised of more than 1,100 unique
species) including sharks and sea cucumbers, two marine species that
are increasingly threatened by IUU fishing. The 2019 addition of shrimp
has had implications for the critically endangered vaquita, of which
only about 10 remain. The use of illegal gillnets for catching shrimp
in the Gulf of California, and the subsequent bycatch of vaquitas, has
been a major factor in the species' decline.
A 2021 report ``Seafood Obtained via Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing: U.S. Imports and Economic Impact on U.S.
Commercial Fisheries,'' compiled by the U.S. International Trade
Commission, found that $2.4 billion worth of seafood imports derived
from IUU fishing was imported in 2019 (11 percent of total seafood
imports). Over 13 percent of the U.S. imports caught at sea were
estimated to be caught using IUU fishing practices. Top species
included swimming crab, wild-caught warmwater shrimp, yellowfin tuna,
and squid. The report noted that IUU-sourced seafood is a threat to the
livelihood of U.S. fishermen. These practices also pose risks to marine
ecosystems, public health, and human rights.
In January 2020, the U.S. government allocated $8 million to fight
IUU fishing and bolster SIMP as part of the US-Mexico-Canada trade
agreement (USMCA) that was approved in January 2021. As part of the
agreement, funding will go to NOAA to help it cooperate with the
Mexican government in fighting illegal fishing through 2023. Additional
funding of $4 million is necessary to ensure full enforcement of SIMP
in FY23.
Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) $6 million
The Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) is an independent Federal agency
established by Congress in 1972 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA). It is responsible for overseeing the proper implementation of
the MMPA and provides comprehensive, independent, science-based
oversight of all Federal and international policy and management
actions affecting marine mammals. The MMC's work is crucial to
maintaining healthy populations of marine mammals, including whales,
manatees, dolphins, seals, sea otters, walruses, and polar bears, and
ensuring their survival for generations to come. Additionally, the MMC
seeks to ensure that Alaska Natives can meet their subsistence needs
through hunting of marine mammals.
Each U.S. taxpayer contributes just over 1 cent per year to fund
the MMC and its work. Until FY21, the MMC had been flat funded at $3.43
million. In FY21, funding for the MMC was slightly increased to $3.769
million, and was then further increased to $4.2 million in FY22. Due to
rising fixed costs, the MMC has absorbed significant essential costs
(salaries, rent, etc.) and thereby reduced its discretionary funding.
In order for the MMC to fully fulfill its obligations, we ask that $6
million be appropriated for FY23.
u.s. department of justice
Environment and Natural Resources Division/Environmental Crimes Section
Additional $2 million
AWI asks the subcommittee to provide an additional $2 million, over
and above the amount that would otherwise be appropriated, to the
Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice's Environment
and Natural Resources Division, to be designated for the Section's work
on animal cruelty crime.
Congress has taken significant steps in the last decade to
strengthen Federal laws to protect animals from cruel treatment. For
those efforts to be meaningful, it is imperative that the Federal
Government's enforcement efforts be robustly supported. The attorneys
in the Environmental Crimes Section are tasked with ensuring that
justice is served when the Federal statutes and enforcement regimes
that provide for the humane treatment of captive, farmed, and companion
animals across the country are violated. These laws include the Animal
Welfare Act, the Horse Protection Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter
Act, the 28-Hour Law, the animal crush video statute, the Animal
Fighting Venture Prohibition Act, and, since 2019, the Preventing
Animal Cruelty and Torture Act.
This is a tremendous amount of responsibility, and it is a
responsibility that both Congress and the American public expect to be
executed vigorously. The resources available to bring criminal
prosecution under these laws has not kept pace with the improvements
made in the laws. Given the increased workload the Section has taken on
in just the last couple of years, a $2 million increase in its funding
its work on animal cruelty crimes is warranted.
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\1\ Heather Pettis, Richard Pace III, Philip Hamilton, North
Atlantic Right Whale Consortium 2021 Annual Report Card Report to the
North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (2022) available at https://
www.narwc.org/uploads/1/1/6/6/116623219/2021report_cardfinal.pdf.
\2\ Sharp, S, et.al (2019). Gross and histopathologic diagnoses
from North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis mortalities between
2003 and 2018. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 135(1), 1-31.
doi:10.3354/dao03376).
\3\ Pace, R. et al. (2021). Cryptic mortality of North Atlantic
right whales. Conservation Science and Practice. 3. 10.1111/csp2.346.
\4\ Knowlton et al. (2016).
[This statement was submitted by Nancy Blaney, Director, Government
Affairs]
______
Prepared Statement of the Wildlife Conservation Society
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) would like to thank Chair
Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and the members of the subcommittee for
providing this opportunity to submit testimony in support of funding in
the FY22 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)
National Marine Sanctuaries Program, the National Marine Fisheries
Service Office of Protected Resources funding for the critically
endangered North Atlantic right whale and for the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys, and
Assessments funding line specifically to enhance data collection and
stock assessment of vulnerable shark, skate and ray species.
WCS was founded with the help of Theodore Roosevelt in 1895 with
the mission of saving wildlife and wild places worldwide. Today, WCS
manages the largest network of urban wildlife parks in the United
States. Visited by 4 million people annually, the network includes our
flagship, the Bronx Zoo, as well as the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn.
Globally, our goal is to conserve the world's most important wild
places, focusing on 14 priority regions that are home to more than 50%
of the world's biodiversity. We have offices and field programs in more
than 60 countries and with our partners manage more than 200 million
acres of protected areas around the world, employing more than 4,000
staff including about 200 Ph.D. scientists and 100 veterinarians.
Working in all the world's oceans, WCS combines its expertise in the
field, aquarium and zoos to achieve its conservation mission both in
New York and around the world. In our view, the largest threats facing
marine wildlife and habitats require innovative, science-based
solutions that balance conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.
The future of our ocean and coastal resources--and our National
well-being--depends on a strong NOAA. For these reasons, we support
robust investment in the Federal Government's premier ocean science,
conservation and management agency. We ask that the subcommittee
Members use this additional investment in NOAA in the FY23 Commerce,
Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill to increase
investments in the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, North Atlantic
right whale conservation and fisheries data collections, surveys and
assessments to improve fisheries management and conservation measures
for vulnerable shark, skate and ray species.
--NOAA--National Marine Sanctuaries Program--$87 Million: The
National Marine Sanctuary System is our essential network of
protected waters held in trust for all Americans. Marine
sanctuaries and monuments are home to millions of species,
preserve our Nation's maritime heritage, and promote access for
exploration and world-class outdoor recreation. The
conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems and
biodiversity are vital to maintaining a healthy ocean and Great
Lakes, addressing the climate crisis, and underpinning
productive coastal economies.
The United States is an ocean nation containing 3.4 million square
nautical miles of ocean-larger than the combined land area of all fifty
States. The National Marine Sanctuary Program serves as trustee for 15
ecologically and culturally significant ocean and Great Lakes sites.
The system works with diverse partners and stakeholders to promote
responsible, sustainable ocean uses that ensure the health of our most
valued ocean places. A healthy ocean is the basis for thriving
recreation, tourism and commercial activities that drive coastal
economies. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries also leads the
National Marine Protected Areas Center, the Nation's hub for building
innovative partnerships and tools to protect our special ocean.
WCS strongly supports the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment
to 30x30 goals--conserving at least 30% of the world's lands and oceans
by 2030 (30x30). US implementation of 30x30 provides a critical
foundation for global success on biodiversity conservation, mitigating
and adapting to climate change through natural climate solutions, and
preventing zoonotic spillover that causes pandemics, such as COVID-19.
It provides an opportunity for improved inter-agency coordination, as
well as alignment, and synergy among existing and new laws,
regulations, and mechanisms to enhance habitat protection. 30x30 can
also provide a pathway to reconciliation of the issues of equity and
justice that underlie conservation in this country by increasing access
to nature, especially for under-resourced communities, and honoring and
elevating the role of Indigenous Nations in any 30x30 strategy.
Although there are places that merit all protections that U.S. law
can provide, working lands and busy waters also play a critical role in
meeting the Nation's 30x30 goals. As such, the National Marine
Sanctuaries Program which balances conservation and sustainable use
must be an integral part of the U.S. response. The program needs
additional resources to support existing Sanctuaries as well as to
initiate the public-facing, stakeholder-driven process to designate new
Sanctuaries in areas that NOAA has determined are worthy of protection.
Currently, there is no Sanctuary in the biodiverse and culturally
important waters of the New York Bight. Therefore, WCS nominated Hudson
Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary in 2016. Located just 100 miles
from the Statue of Liberty, NOAA determined it is a site of ecological
and economic importance and placed the nomination in its inventory of
successful nominations. WCS's nomination recommended a Hudson Sanctuary
designation would supplement and complement existing regulations by
ensuring that oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction be
permanently precluded from a Hudson Sanctuary and that the existing
authorities (e.g. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Commission and NOAA's Highly Migratory Species
Division) continue to regulate fisheries within the Sanctuary, should
it be designated. With increased resources from Congress, WCS looks
forward to NOAA initiating the public-facing, stakeholder-driven
designation process for Hudson Canyon.
For these reasons, WCS supports the Biden-Harris Administration's
recommended investment of $87m for the FY23 Sanctuaries and Marine
Protected Areas ORF as detailed in the President's Budget Request and
Congressional Justification.
--NOAA--Office of Protected Species, funding for North Atlantic Right
Whale conservation within Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and
Others Species, $26 Million: NOAA's Office of Protected Species
is responsible for the conservation, protection and recovery of
more than 150 Endangered and Threatened marine species under
the Endangered Species Act, including the North Atlantic right
whale. The Office is also responsible for the management and
protection of all whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea
lions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Recently updated estimates for North Atlantic right whale indicate
that between January 2019 and January 2020 its population plummeted an
additional eight% to 336 individuals, entailing a rate of decline forty
times the legal limit. This is the lowest assessment in decades. We are
facing an emergency situation: This species cannot recover without a
significant reduction to the high level of mortality they are currently
experiencing, including from ship strikes in high-trafficked areas,
noise pollution, and other impacts from fisheries and offshore wind
energy development. including New York and New Jersey waters.
Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, in collaboration
with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and other partners, are
monitoring right whales and other marine mammals as they migrate
through the busy waters of the New York Bight. Twelve million dollars
out of $26 million is needed to increase investments in research,
monitoring and management related to vessel strikes, ocean noise and
fishing gear entanglements by NOAA. With this funding, managers,
stakeholders and the public will be able to contribute to the
conservation of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
--NOAA--National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fisheries Data
Collections, Surveys, and Assessments funding line for
vulnerable shark, skate and ray species, $10 Million:
Insufficient fisheries data and stock assessment of shark,
skate and ray populations prevents scientists from determining
whether species are overfished and/or subject to overfishing.
Many sharks are important predators in ocean food chains, which
makes them critical in maintaining the balance of marine
ecosystems. Most shark and ray species are long-lived, mature
late, and produce few offspring. These life history
characteristics make sharks extremely vulnerable to
overfishing, whether from targeted fishing or bycatch. In a
recent paper, experts estimated that 37.5% of shark and ray
species are threatened with extinction, according to
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List
criteria. Overfishing is the main threat for 100% of threatened
species and the sole threat affecting 67 % of these species.
Based on data from NMFS 2020 Report to Congress on the status
of U.S. shark fisheries, there are 34 shark stock or stock
complexes listed in U.S. waters of which 68% are either
overfished and experiencing overfishing , have a mixed status ,
or have an ``unknown'' overfished or overfishing stock status .
By directing $10 million specifically allocated towards stock
assessments for vulnerable shark, skate and ray species,
Congress can help ensure the improved management and
conservation of this important group of species.
WCS appreciates the opportunity to share its perspective and to
make a case for increases in Federal investments in ocean conservation
in the FY23 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act. As an ocean nation, Americans depend on Federal
investment in NOAA programs that are rooted in marine science and
stakeholder engagement. These investments will help us balance marine
conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide details on these WCS
requests to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Appropriations subcommittee in preparation for the FY23 Appropriations
Act. WCS marine science and policy experts are available to the
subcommittee should there be any follow up questions.
[This statement was submitted by Noah Chesnin, Associate Director,
New York Seascape Program]
----------
NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
Prepared Statement of The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking
Honorable Matt Cartwright, Chair, Honorable Robert Aderholt, Ranking
Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science
and Related Agencies, Honorable Jeanne Shaheen, Chair, Honorable Jerry
Moran, Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce,
Justice, Science and Related Agencies:
The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) appreciates and
thanks you for your leadership in the fight to end child labor, forced
labor and human trafficking. We are grateful for the increased support
these programs have received over the past decade. We seek your
assistance again in funding essential programs in the FY23 Commerce,
Justice, Science and Related Agencies bill. The Justice Department
plays a vital role in bringing traffickers to justice. These cases are
often complicated and involve lengthy legal proceedings requiring
additional resources for prosecutors as well as for victims who often
experience severe trauma requiring intensive therapy and long-term
services and support to rebuild their lives. Most victims require
comprehensive case management, legal services and access to housing
supported by trauma-informed and culturally competent victim services
and community-based organizations to support their goals and help them
navigate the often re-traumatizing court process.
We are grateful for your support to increase investments in these
areas, and to continue to ensure that the Department of Justice works
to strengthen collaborative community responses to human trafficking.
department of justice
Office of Justice Programs/State and Local Law Enforcement
Assistance Victim Services Grants and Human Trafficking Task Forces:
$150,000,000--According to the 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
Report, Department of Justice (DOJ) grantees served 9,854 clients
during the most recent 1-year period (7/1/19 to 6/30/20), approximately
17.6 percent more clients than DOJ grantees served the prior year
(8,375). The National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 18,600 sex
trafficking and forced labor victims in 2020, and reported a 60 percent
increase in signal volume since 2019. Given that survivors of
trafficking are coming forward in greater numbers than are being served
by DOJ grantees, robust resources are needed to ensure that they
receive appropriate responses and services. Data from the Trafficking
Hotline and anecdotal evidence from established service providers
demonstrate that insufficient resources and hindered access to
resources remain a significant barrier for survivors. For example,
service providers in New York City, including an ATEST member, reported
a significant increase in survivors' requests for rental assistance,
medical cost coverage and food vouchers. While some of these requests
were met, service providers engaged in ongoing advocacy with landlords
and medical providers to negotiate rent arrears arrangements or lower
medical bills when funding was insufficient to cover these costs. In
2020 and 2021, Trafficking Hotline data shows that more than 50 percent
of all crisis calls were requests for emergency shelter assistance.
The COVID-19 crisis has drastically changed the landscape for
serving human trafficking victims and survivors. Service providers
nationwide have reported a greater caseload and more difficulties
providing services due to complicated and evolving COVID-19 mitigation
measures. Data from one service provider showed a 556 percent increase
in emergency response cases of escaping survivors since the start of
the pandemic in 2019. Furthermore, this service provider has
experienced a 455 percent increase in costs for basic necessities. As
economic vulnerabilities continue to increase throughout the duration
of the pandemic and economic recovery remains inconsistent, we expect
an ongoing increase in required services for victims and survivors.
Despite the amplified need for comprehensive services, we anticipate a
possible 35 percent decrease in funding for service providers in the
anti-trafficking movement as part of the economic fallout from this
global health crisis. We are seeing significantly heightened client
financial needs in all areas, including social and legal needs, and
expect a significant increase in the need for sustained comprehensive
services.
To attempt to meet the growing needs of victims and survivors, we
request $150,000,000 for human trafficking survivors and law
enforcement. Given the increased vulnerability to trafficking due to
persistent unemployment and general financial, legal and social
instability, we request that no less than $126,000,000 of the
appropriation be for victim services, and that the majority of OVC
money continues to be spent supporting direct services for all forms of
trafficking in persons, including intensive case management and legal
and shelter services. We also request that OVC review monies granted to
law enforcement task forces to ensure task forces are adopting victim-
centered approaches. Two of ATEST's direct service provider members,
who also run federally funded task forces under the Enhanced
Collaborative Model grants, report that many of their clients have
experienced negative or harmful interactions with law enforcement.
Clients report being coerced to testify against their traffickers under
threat of prosecution themselves. Other clients who have reported
strong labor trafficking cases have not been granted Continued Presence
and law enforcement has declined to investigate these allegations.
Other survivors were required to interview with law enforcement up to
six separate times at the height of the pandemic, and were still not
issued Continued Presence until their victim service provider advocates
intervened on their behalf. One BIPOC client shared she was turned away
by the police when seeking help. ``I was searching for help and when I
went to the police department they looked at me like I was crazy. They
told me no one would want to house me or help me if I kept telling
people I was running away from a pimp. They gave me a cold shoulder, a
pamphlet to go across the street, and shooed me away.'' Essentially,
when survivors of human trafficking seek help from law enforcement, the
majority of survivors report being turned away, or arrested.
With respect to implementation of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act (TVPA) related to protection of victim rights, section 5
of Public Law 115-392 (one of the four bills in the most recent TVPA
reauthorization), the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
was to issue a directive regarding victim protection training and
victim screening protocols. These protocols have still not been
developed. ATEST is deeply invested in the development of victim-
centered protocols by DOJ and DHS, in strong collaboration with DOL and
HHS, for publication and dissemination to the extensive network of DOJ-
funded task forces around the country.
Finally, we want to acknowledge, gratefully, that colleagues within
the Department of Justice have steadfastly responded to our
appropriations requests over the past decade and we have seen large
increases in funding disbursed by Department of Justice for victims of
human trafficking. The COVID-19 global pandemic is unlike anything we
have seen before in recent times, and victims of human trafficking are
disproportionately impacted. Therefore, we continue to request
significantly elevated levels of funding and hope to continue the
ongoing trend of increased appropriations.
Proposed Report Language: The bill provides $150,000,000 for the
Victims of Trafficking Grant program, of which no less than
$126,000,000 is for victim services. The $10,000,000 request for minor
victim services grants is included within the $150,000,000
appropriations request for victim services overall.
Office of Justice Programs/State and Local Law Enforcement
Assistance Minor Victim Services Grants: $10,000,000--Specialized,
comprehensive, trauma-informed and gender- specific assistance to minor
victims of human trafficking is critical. Minors face significant
hurdles recovering from the abuse and trauma they have endured. Law
enforcement has identified the lack of specialized housing programs
throughout the U.S. as the greatest obstacle in effectively prosecuting
child traffickers. The Attorney General is authorized to provide grant
funding to serve sex-trafficked minors. We request additional funds to
support services, training and outreach for labor-trafficked youth.
Including labor trafficked children is imperative given that the
Federal definition of human trafficking includes both sex trafficking
and forced labor. Furthermore, labor trafficking victims experience the
same types of trauma, physical, sexual and psychological abuse seen in
sex trafficking cases. Unaccompanied minors working are at risk of and
have experienced sex and/or labor trafficking, but often only receive
support for their sex trafficking recovery. More than 50 percent of the
Safe Horizon Anti-Trafficking Program clients are identified as labor
trafficking victims. Another ATEST member noted that 28 percent of
their survivors served were trafficked as minors. Increased funding to
serve minor victims of all forms of human trafficking, including labor
trafficking, would critically shore up prevention and protection
efforts.
According to the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking
of Youth in the United States, ``a child or youth may more readily
disclose concerns related to labor trafficking than concerns related to
sex trafficking given the sexual violence, trauma, and stigma endemic
in sex trafficking. Additionally, some disclosures that initially seem
to involve only sex trafficking may also involve labor trafficking, as
children and youth may be forced to work while also being made to
engage in commercial sex acts.'' We further request that the bill
contain statutory language to make this funding available for 2 years
instead of just 1 year.
Proposed Report Language: The bill provides $10,000,000 for Minor
Victims of Trafficking Grant program, of which $5,000,000 is for victim
services grants for sex trafficked minors, and an additional $5,000,000
for victim services grants for labor trafficked minors. The Committee
encourages DOJ to work in close coordination with the Department of
Health and Human Services to encourage collaboration and reduce
duplication of effort.
Legal Activities/Civil Rights Division, Human Trafficking
Prosecution Unit (HTPU): $8,000,000--HTPU houses the government's top
legal experts on prosecuting human trafficking cases. These cases are
resource-intensive because they are procedurally complex and involve
multiple jurisdictions and defendants. Per the Human Trafficking
Institute's Federal Human Trafficking Report, HTPU cases had a 89
percent conviction rate in 2020. Defendants in HTPU cases are
consistently receiving longer sentences and more frequently ordered to
pay restitution than non-HTPU cases. With increased funding, HTPU will
be able to increase prosecutions of all forms of trafficking and forced
labor. This funding should be prioritized for the prosecution of forced
labor cases, which only constituted 6 percent of the active
prosecutions in 2020, compared to 94 percent of active prosecutions for
sex trafficking. From 2019 to 2020, new forced labor cases declined 11
percent, from 9 cases to 8 cases. The Human Trafficking Institute noted
that prosecutors filed more sex trafficking prosecutions in 2020 than
all forced labor prosecutions filed over more than 20 years after TVPA
passage.
Additionally, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act (Public Law 115-
392) designates an assistant U.S. Attorney in every U.S. Attorney's
Office across the United States to prosecute human trafficking cases.
HTPU is responsible for supporting the training of these prosecutors.
Proposed Report Language: The Committee provides $8,000,000 for the
Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit (HTPU) and encourages HTPU and the
Anti-Trafficking Coordination Teams to continue working with victim
service providers and non-governmental organizations to ensure victim
needs are prioritized as part of the overall strategy to combat human
trafficking and particularly forced labor in the United States.
Additional resources provided are to implement section 15 of Public Law
115-392. Furthermore, the Committee directs the Human Trafficking
Prosecution Unit (HTPU) to report to the Committees on Appropriations
no later than 120 days following enactment of this act on (1) the total
number of human trafficking cases it prosecuted or assisted in
prosecuting within the last 3 years disaggregated by type of
trafficking, (2) the number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys who received
training on human trafficking within the past 3 years, and, (3) the
number of Assistant U.S. Attorneys who received training on restitution
for human trafficking victims within the past 3 years.
National Institute of Justice/Prevalence Methodology & Study:
$10,000,0000.--DOJ missed the deadline of December 21, 2019 to update
Congress on its efforts to conduct the evaluation research and develop
a methodology to assess the prevalence of human trafficking in the
United States as mandated by Sec. 401(a) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2017 (Public Law 115- 393). In the past, no funding
has been allocated to a prevalence study in the United States. Funding
provided will allow NIJ to finally develop a methodology and conduct a
prevalence study on the nature of trafficking in the United States, or
more accurately, a series of prevalence studies focused on specific
geographies, economic sectors, and forms of trafficking. This research
is essential to inform future appropriations decisions for counter-
trafficking in persons programs. The development and implementation of
the methodology is estimated to cost $10,000,000 total. Such sums
necessary to complete the evaluation research and development should be
appropriated for FY23.
The lack of coordinated efforts across the country to collect
reliable data about trafficking means funds are appropriated and
programs established without dependable information regarding the
prevalence of specific types of trafficking, the locations in which
trafficking occurs, and the effectiveness of specific anti-trafficking
measures. A concerted effort to collect reliable, accurate, relevant,
and impartial data is necessary to establish more effective counter-
trafficking in persons programs and to more appropriately target
Federal funding. The study will need to include information from
Federal and State law enforcement alongside direct service providers in
order to present a comprehensive landscape of human trafficking in the
United States. Conducting pilot studies that target specific high-
prevalence regions, economic sectors, and population groups is a
crucial step in developing a comprehensive and accurate prevalence
methodology study; moreover, limiting the covered populations (as
opposed to a national prevalence estimate) will allow the work to be
conducted on a shorter timeline. The United States already invests a
significant amount of resources in measuring human trafficking
prevalence aboard, and it is past time to make the same level of
investment in measuring prevalence domestically, if we are to continue
as a leader in the global anti-trafficking field.
Proposed Report Language: The Committee directs the Secretary to
report on efforts made by the National Institute of Justice to develop
a methodology to assess the prevalence of human trafficking in the
United States as mandated by Sec. 401(a) of the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-393). The Secretary should
include in this report an estimate of the necessary funds to complete
the evaluation research and development of the methodology in fiscal
year 2023 and fiscal year 2024.
Federal Bureau of Investigation: Report Language.--The FBI is a
critical Federal law enforcement agency partner fighting human
trafficking. The presence of the FBI in any trafficking investigation
significantly increases the chances of success. Furthermore, with
trafficking investigations often crossing state lines, the presence of
the FBI becomes critical.
Proposed Report Language: The Committee recognizes the complex
nature of human trafficking investigations and encourages the Director
to allocate additional resources for human trafficking cases and
designate a lead agent in each field office as a point of contact for
human trafficking investigations.
Legal Activities/United States Attorneys: Report Language
1) Consistent with the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victim
Protection Act's requirement that each U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO)
designate an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) as a lead human trafficking
prosecutor, we request that the subcommittee include report language
encouraging the prompt implementation and that the Executive Office of
U.S. Attorneys provide sufficient support and training and technical
assistance to the designated AUSAs to enable each respective
jurisdiction to improve coordination and communication.
Proposed Report Language: The Committee directs the Executive
Office of U.S. Attorneys, in consultation with the United States
Attorneys, to provide sufficient support and training and technical
assistance to each Assistant U.S. Attorney designated as the lead human
trafficking prosecutor, consistent with the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act.
2) We request that the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, in
consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, develop a
process to enable survivors with T-visas to obtain an expedited letter
of support from the Department of Justice when their criminal case is
closed.
Proposed Report Language: Designating a point of contact will
improve communication and coordination within each jurisdiction,
including victim service organizations, in order to better serve the
victims of human trafficking and forced labor. The Committee directs
the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, in consultation with the
Department of Homeland Security, to develop a process to enable
survivors with T-visas to obtain an expedited letter of support from
the Department of Justice when their criminal case is closed, including
a report on sufficient staffing to ensure that requests for letters can
be processed in less than 3 months.
As a champion for the victims of child labor, forced labor and sex
trafficking, you understand the complexities of these issues and the
resources needed to respond. We have carefully vetted our requests to
focus on the most important and effective programs. We thank you for
your consideration of these requests and your continued leadership. If
you have any questions, please contact ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick
([email protected]).
Sincerely,
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST)
Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)
Covenant House Free the Slaves HEAL Trafficking
Human Trafficking Institute Human Trafficking Legal Center Humanity
United Action
McCain Institute for International Leadership
National Network for Youth (NN4Y) Polaris
Safe Horizon Solidarity Center
T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights United Way Worldwide
Verite
Vital Voices Global Partnership
ATEST is a U.S.-based coalition that advocates for solutions to
prevent and end all forms of human trafficking and modern slavery
around the world.
______
Prepared Statement of American Educational Research Association
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the subcommittee:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony on behalf
of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). I want to
begin by recognizing your longstanding support for the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and thank you and your staff for your strong
commitment to maintaining agency flexibility in funding cutting edge
science. AERA recommends that the NSF receive at least $11 billion in
fiscal year 2023. This recommendation is consistent with that of the
Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), in which AERA is a long-
term active member. AERA also recommends $2 billion for the Census
Bureau, consistent with the recommendation of The Census Project.
AERA is the major national scientific association of 25,000
faculty, researchers, graduate students, and other distinguished
professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge about education,
encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education, and promoting the
use of research to serve public good. Many of our members are engaged
STEM education research. Our members work in a range of settings from
universities and other academic institutions to research institutes,
Federal and State agencies, school systems, testing companies, and
nonprofit organizations engaged in conducting research in all areas of
education and learning from early childhood through the workforce.
Given the scientific expertise of the AERA membership and in our
field, my testimony focuses on the importance of the current Education
and Human Resources Directorate (referenced hereafter under its
proposed new name in the fiscal Year 2023 budget request, STEM
Education [EDU]) and the Social, Behavioral and Economic (SBE) Sciences
Directorates at NSF. In addition, many of our members depend on an
accurate Census count and data from the American Community Survey to do
their work.
national science foundation
The Federal investment in research and scientific knowledge at NSF
has led to innovation and discoveries that are applied in our daily
lives. We appreciate the bipartisan interest in maintaining U.S.
leadership and global partnerships in basic research through the
Federal investments made in NSF.
The EDU and SBE Directorates are central to the mission of the NSF
to advance fundamental knowledge and scientific breakthroughs and to
ensure significant continuing advances across science, engineering, and
education. EDU support is vital to research discoveries, capacity
building, and methodological innovations directly related to STEM
education and learning from early education through workforce
development. Research and science supported by the EDU and SBE
Directorates are also inextricably linked to the science and research
of the other directorates (for example, Computer and Information
Science and Engineering). We also see promise in the new Technology,
Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate, and encourage NSF to
pursue education research as a priority in this directorate.
Furthermore, the EDU and SBE directorates are vital not just to
producing essential knowledge but also to harnessing that knowledge to
enhance productivity, innovation, safety, security, and social and
economic well-being. I also wish to highlight the National Science
Board Vision 2030, which calls for expanding the STEM talent pool.
Ongoing NSF initiatives to broaden participation through programs such
as NSF INCLUDES in EDU and the Build and Broaden program within SBE are
examples to increase the diversity of the STEM educator and research
workforce.
As indicated in the agency's budget request for fiscal Year 2022,
96 percent of appropriated funds directly supported research and STEM
education through grants and cooperative agreements in fiscal Year
2021, with 78 percent of funding supporting research at colleges and
universities. In addition, NSF estimates that more than 132,000 K-12
students and 46,000 K-12 teachers will benefit from programs that
directly engage them in STEM experiences within and outside the
classroom in fiscal Year 2023.
STEM Education Directorate
The EDU Directorate at NSF is responsible for providing the
research foundation necessary to achieve excellence in U.S. STEM
education. EDU accomplishes this goal by supporting the development of
a scientifically-literate citizenry as well as a STEM-skilled
workforce. Advances in the industries of the future, including
artificial intelligence and quantum information science, require
building interest and engagement in STEM throughout the lifespan.
The EDU Directorate commitment to invest in fundamental research
related to STEM across all education levels and to promote evidence-
based innovations in teaching practices, instructional tools, and
programs is essential to advancing STEM education and preparing the
next generation of STEM professionals. EDU funded researchers are
asking key questions, for example, about how to spark students'
interest in math and science and keep them engaged, or about why so
many students lose interest and confidence and about what can be done
to keep them engaged. Understanding these and many other questions will
help the United States build a well-educated and technology-literate
workforce necessary for a prosperous economic future.
Key to advancing STEM education research is the Education Core
Research (ECR) program, an important resource to the field that builds
fundamental knowledge and capacity to understand STEM teaching and
learning and develop the STEM educator and workforce pipeline. ECR
grants have supported critical work in equity, inclusion, and ethics in
postsecondary academic workplaces and the academic profession, as well
as research to improve STEM teaching and learning for students with
disabilities. We also applaud NSF in investing in midscale research
infrastructure, serving as a potential resource for addressing key
needs that include building data infrastructure capacity and developing
innovative diagnostic assessment tools.
As the Nation continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, research supported by EDU will be critical to fostering STEM
learning in formal and informal settings. Through the RAPID program,
EDU provided grants to education researchers to inform remote
instruction, develop STEM curriculum that incorporated the COVID-19
pandemic to understand scientific principles, and provide insight into
issues of equity in STEM education. Additional survey work and research
supported through RAPID funding highlighted how the pandemic affected
undergraduate and graduate students, including their engagement and
interest in STEM and their satisfaction with online STEM coursework.
Increased investment in EDU is critical to support research to
inform an educational system that will continue to incorporate
technology inside and outside the STEM classroom and in labs. In
addition, the EDU Directorate's focus on developing our Nation's
scientific workforce requires resources to ensure that early career
scholars and graduate students remain in the STEM talent pipeline. Some
examples include material support to emerging scholars (both salary and
``soft support''), mechanisms to connect and build communities among
scholars, and focus on mentoring.
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate
In addition to the significant investments in education sciences
provided by EHR, AERA values the important role the SBE Directorate in
funding important education research and in social, family, and peer
contexts connected to learning. The SBE Directorate also houses the
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES).
The SBE Directorate supports research to better understand people
and reveals basic aspects of human behavior in the context of education
and learning. SBE funded research adds fundamental knowledge essential
to promoting the Nation's economy, security, and global leadership.
Understanding social organizations and how social, economic, and
cultural forces influence the lives of students is important to
improving teaching and learning and advancing STEM education.
The budget for SBE is 4 percent of the budget for Research and
Related Activities, yet it provides approximately 65 percent of the
Federal funding for basic research in the social and psychological
sciences at academic institutions.
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)
In addition, AERA has a strong interest in the National Center for
Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) located in the SBE
Directorate. As one of the Federal principal statistical agencies,
NCSES provides invaluable statistical information about the science and
engineering infrastructure and workforce in the U.S. and around the
world. NCSES collects and analyzes data on the progress of STEM
education and the research and development, providing valuable
information on the trajectories of STEM graduates both in STEM and non-
STEM careers.
Additional resources in funding and staffing in FY 2023 for NCSES
would support critical activities to develop new data techniques
building on administrative data and to enhance data tools and
visualizations to facilitate access to statistical resources. These
methodological advances will be necessary for NCSES to implement the
Foundations for Evidence-based Policymaking Act and to build the NSF
data infrastructure to securely link its survey data with
administrative data in other Federal agencies.
NCSES will also play a pivotal role in supporting the overall NSF
priority to bring the ``Missing Millions'' from traditionally
underrepresented populations into the STEM pipeline. Expanding NCSES
surveys and incorporating information on inclusion-including data on
the participations of LGBTQ+ populations, persons with diverse
(dis)abilities, and other demographic attributes-can help NSF, other
science agencies and institutions, and fields of science understand
disparities in STEM and inform broadening participation initiatives.
census bureau
I also wish to emphasize the importance of adequate support for the
Census Bureau, especially critical in the tabulation of data from the
2020 Decennial Census, planning for the 2030 Decennial Census, and in
maintaining important survey collections. AERA recommends funding the
Census Bureau at $2 billion in FY 2023.
The requested amount of $2 billion for fiscal Year 2023 will
provide the agency with needed resources to conduct the Economic
Census, process and finalize the enumeration and related activities for
the 2020 Census, which experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, this amount of funding will provide resources for planning
for the 2030 Decennial Census and continue the administration of the
Household Pulse Survey, which has provided valuable, real-time data to
inform the COVID-19 response. The recommended funding support will also
allow the Census Bureau to incorporate innovations in the American
Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony in
support of at least $11 billion for the National Science Foundation and
$2 billion for the Census Bureau in fiscal year 2023 appropriations.
AERA would welcome the opportunity to work with you and your
subcommittee to best further the crucial advances of the National
Science Foundation and the important data provided by the Census
Bureau. Please do not hesitate to contact me if AERA can provide
additional information regarding this recommendation or the significant
science made possible through the support of these agencies.
[This statement was submitted by Felice J. Levine, PhD, Executive
Director]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a non-profit, non-partisan
scientific society, appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony
regarding the fiscal year 2023 appropriations request for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation
(NSF). AGU, on behalf of its community of 130,000 in the Earth and
space sciences, respectfully requests that the 117th Congress
appropriate the following:
--$9 billion for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD),
--$154 million for NASA's Office of STEM Engagement,
--$7.2 billion for NOAA, and
--$11 billion for NSF.
national aeronautics & space administration
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $9 billion in FY23 for
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (a 18.2% increase over FY22 levels)
and $154 million for NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (a 12.4% increase
over FY22 levels). This request will allow NASA to remain on track to
steadily advance existing and new decadal missions, provide unique
opportunities for the next generation of STEM professionals, and ensure
that the U.S. maintains its global leadership in the Earth and space
sciences.
Earth Science Division
A strong investment in this division will support a robust climate
and applications research program, including new and existing Earth
Systems Observatory missions, the launch of three Earth System
Explorers missions within a decade, and partnership opportunities to
ensure sustained climate observations. Additionally, increased funding
will enable NASA to begin planning for the Earth Information Center and
roll out the Wildfire Earth Information System and Fire Information for
Resource Management System, which will provide immediate benefits to
Western States. A robust investment will also allow the Earth Science
Data Systems and Applied Earth Sciences programs to provide tools and
resources for public and private decision-makers, including
implementing open science capabilities for all of NASA's Science
Mission Directorate
Planetary Science Division
Strong investment in this division will allow NASA to pursue the
Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program, which supports commercial
collaborations and innovative exploration approaches, without
sacrificing a balanced portfolio of other missions and exploration
targets in our solar system. Specifically, increased funding will allow
the U.S. to advance missions to explore new destinations in the solar
system, such as the Europa Clipper, Psyche and Dragonfly missions, and
a robust competitive Discovery Program. An increased investment in
planetary science will allow NASA to begin planning to implement the
latest decadal survey.
Heliophysics Division
A robust investment in Heliophysics will allow us to better
understand the space environment and therefore realize our space
exploration ambitions while protecting existing assets and people in
space. Investing in research and analysis will also maximize the return
of large missions, while ensuring a thriving heliophysics community
through the support of early career scientists and diversity, equity,
and inclusion efforts. Finally, increased funding will ensure a 2027
launch for the Geospace Dynamics Constellation, which was the highest
priority decadal large-scale mission, support technology investments in
future missions such as an Interstellar Probe and/or a Solar Orbiter
Prober; and provide a strong basis for an ambitious 2024 decadal
survey.
Office of STEM Engagement
According to the National Science Board, our country has a STEM
talent deficit that will reach the millions by FY2030. As such, it is
critical that we invest in NASA's efforts to re-engage and support
students interested in STEM. Increased funding for the office will
allow NASA to increase engagement of K-12 students, broaden
participation in NASA at all levels, and increase partnerships to
further expand NASA's STEM impact across the United States.
national oceanic & atmospheric administration
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $7.2 billion for NOAA in
FY23 (a 22.5% increase over FY22). From weather forecasts to fisheries
data, to groundbreaking research about the world around us, NOAA
provides critical products and services to citizens, planners,
emergency managers, and other decision makers, affecting more than one-
third of the Nation's gross domestic product. Yet NOAA has for years
remained severely underfunded.
Last year, there were 20 separate billion-dollar weather and
climate disaster events across the U.S., costing a total of $145
billion-the third most costly year on record, behind 2017 and 2005.\1\
Those same disasters also caused more than 680 fatalities, the most
disaster-related fatalities for the contiguous U.S. since 2011. With
extreme weather becoming more frequent, more dangerous, and costlier to
the Nation, especially in rural areas and marginalized communities.
NOAA needs strong financial support to be able to bolster climate
research, mitigate and prepare for worsening conditions, and build our
National and economic resilience.
Robust funding for NOAA will also provide critical funding for
satellites that provide weather forecasting, storm tracking, and long-
term Earth observations to protect lives and infrastructure. Sufficient
financial support will allow NOAA to maintain current launch and
development schedules and develop the next generation of geostationary
satellites, known as GEO-XO, well into the 2030s and beyond.
NOAA science also plays a vital role in informing the world about
changes in the climate system, as well as the effectiveness of certain
mitigation techniques and adaptation strategies. Robust funding will
allow the agency to continue this innovative work and lead cross-agency
efforts in extramural programs such as the Cooperative Institutes, and
the Sea Grant Program. These programs not only conduct research and
observations, but also promote outreach and education to serve the
public in every region and state.
national science foundation
AGU requests that Congress appropriate $11 billion for NSF in FY23
(an approximately 24.5% increase over FY22 levels). Ambitious and
robust funding for NSF is critical if the U.S. hopes to maintain its
leadership in science and technology and reap the economic and national
security benefits of that leadership.
Robust funding will allow NSF to realize congressional goals
through the new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships Directorate
without sacrificing core NSF research and STEM education programs. NSF
currently supports almost a quarter of all basic research--and 56% of
basic geoscience research--done at U.S. colleges and universities.
Robust funding will allow NSF to continue this support, while expanding
efforts to aid graduate students, which is essential if we hope to
attract and retain those in STEM fields.
Increased funding will also allow NSF to build research capacity at
emerging and underserved institutions through the new Growing Research
Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity (GRANTED)
Initiative and to launch Global Centers to facilitate the education and
development of a global workforce to address climate and clean energy
challenges. By leveraging financial resources and capabilities from
multiple partners, this initiative has the potential to build capacity
and scale solutions here and around the world.
conclusion
With our Nation facing critical and interconnected challenges
affecting our economic strength, national security, and health and
well-being, strong investments in science and innovation--specifically
the work done by NASA, NOAA, and NSF--are vital for a stronger, more
secure, better future for America. AGU appreciates the subcommittee's
leadership in these areas, as well as the opportunity to submit this
testimony. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our requests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
Calculating the cost of weather and climate disasters. https://
www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/calculating-cost-weather-and-climate-disasters.
[This statement was submitted by Brittany Webster, Manager, Science
Policy & Government Relations]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
On behalf of the Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs),
which are the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), we
are pleased to present our Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) recommendations
regarding the National Science Foundation's TCU Program (NSF-TCUP), and
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Minority University
Research and Education Project (NASA-MUREP). We respectfully recommend
the following funding levels:
national science foundation (nsf)
Education and Human Resources Directorate (EHR):
--Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP).--TCUs urge the
subcommittee to fund competitively awarded NSF-TCUP grants at a
minimum of $25,000,000 for FY2023.
national aeronautics and space administration (nasa)
--NASA Headquarters, Office of Education--Minority University
Research and Education Project (MUREP).--TCUs urge the
subcommittee to expand the NASA MUREP program with robust
funding and establish a TCU-specific program within MUREP at
$5,000,000 for FY2023.
Tribal Colleges and Universities: Raising and Training the Nation's
Native STEM Workforce
TCUs are an essential component of American Indian and Alaska
Native STEM education, research, and workforce. Currently, 35
accredited TCUs operate more than 75 campuses and sites in 15 States.
TCU geographic boundaries encompass 80 percent of American Indian
reservations and Federal Indian trust lands. American Indian and Alaska
Native (AI/AN) TCU students represent more than 230 federally
recognized Tribes and hail from more than 30 States. Nearly 80 percent
receive Federal financial aid, and approximately half are first
generation students. In total, TCUs serve more than 160,000 AI/ANs and
other rural residents each year through a wide variety of academic and
community-based programs. TCUs are public institutions accredited by
independent, regional accreditation agencies and, like all U.S.
institutions of higher education, must regularly undergo stringent
performance reviews to retain their accreditation status.
The Federal Government, despite its direct trust responsibility and
binding treaty obligations, has never fully funded TCU institutional
operations as authorized under Federal law. Yet despite funding
challenges, TCUs are responding to the STEM workforce needs across the
country. In fall 2020, 1,733 TCU students were enrolled in one of 191
STEM programs at TCUs. TCUs have established programs in high-demand
fields: 11 TCUs offer pre-engineering programs, two TCUs offers
bachelor's degrees in industrial and electrical engineering, five TCUs
offer STEM teacher education programs, and 14 TCUs offer nursing
programs. These efforts are preparing AI/AN nurses, engineers, and
science and math teachers who contribute to a robust pipeline of STEM
professionals in Indian Country. TCUs also train professionals in other
high-demand STEM fields, including agriculture, information technology,
and natural resource management.
TCUs know that to break the cycle of generational poverty and end
the culture of dependency that grips much of Indian Country, TCUs must
bring industry partners and STEM jobs to Indian Country. TCUs and
Tribes must promote new Native-owned and operated STEM-based
businesses, create public-private partnerships, and build a culture of
self-sufficiency and innovation. NSF and NASA funding is essential in
supporting this effort to promote STEM-enabled economic development in
Indian Country and throughout rural America.
Each of the following Federal grant programs has invested in the
development of STEM-centered instruction, research, and job creation
across Indian country.
national science foundation (nsf)
Education and Human Resources Directorate (EHR)--Tribal Colleges
and Universities Program (TCUP).--TCUs urge the subcommittee to fund
competitively awarded NSF-TCUP grants at a minimum of $25,000,000. The
NSF-TCUP, administered by the NSF Education and Human Resources
Directorate, is a competitive grant program that enables TCUs and
Alaska Native Serving/Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (AN/NHs) to
develop and expand critically needed STEM education and research
programs relevant to their Indigenous communities.
Since the program began in 2001, NSF-TCUP has become the primary
Federal program for building STEM programmatic and research capacity at
TCUs. For example, NSF-TCUP funding supported Navajo Technical
University (Crownpoint, NM) in the development of its electrical and
industrial engineering programs, which received accreditation from the
Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) in 2018. This
marks a significant milestone, with NTU leading the way as the first
TCU to receive ABET accreditation.
Community-Based Research
TCUs use NSF-TCUP funding to provide students with valuable
research experience in STEM fields. Through these opportunities,
students conduct place-based research that serves their communities and
can have national and international impacts. At Northwest Indian
College (NWIC) (Bellingham, WA), students are conducting complex
research related to food security focused on salmon, shellfish, and
indigenous sea cucumbers. Through a partnership with Western Washington
University, NWIC graduates continue to pursue their academic and career
goals through WWU's master's degree programs. Aaniiih Nakoda College
(Harlem, MT) faculty and students monitor streams for contaminants and
are investigating West Nile virus vectors; and Sitting Bull College
(SBC) (Fort Yates, ND) has established a water quality monitoring
laboratory serving the Standing Rock Sioux and surrounding communities.
SBC studies show that students participating in the college's research
have retention rates that are double the rate of students who are not
engaged in research.
Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC)--Tribal Climate Resiliency
The environmental science program at Aaniiih Nakoda College
(Harlem, MT) is based on an effective model of place-based instruction
that combines rigorous coursework, internship placements, and
undergraduate research experiences focused on student learning. ANC
students are using their education and research skills to help combat
the looming climate change crisis and its effects on their Fort Belknap
Indian Community.
For over a decade, ANC environmental studies students have been
studying the 23 miles of river that pass through Tribal lands to
monitor changes in water temperatures, impact on life in the river, and
quality of local drinking water. Student researchers collect samples of
small bottom-dwelling aquatic insects and freshwater algae. The
specimens are brought back to ANC's laboratory to be sorted,
identified, and analyzed. Next, the specimens are transported six hours
away across the State to a private laboratory in Missoula, Montana for
advanced testing and further analysis. Until additional resources are
available to build out the required research infrastructure, ANC and
other TCUs will continue to work with similar limitations in conducting
vital research necessary to support Tribal communities in preserving
health, environment, and traditional ways of life.
These success stories notwithstanding, AI/AN students are
disadvantaged from pursuing STEM-centered career from an early age. AI/
AN youth have the highest high school drop-out rate of any ethnic or
racial group in the country. Those who do pursue postsecondary
education often require developmental classes before taking on a full
load of college-level courses. Placement tests administered at TCUs to
first-time entering students in academic year 2019-20 showed that 23
percent required remedial math. Our data indicates that while 53
percent will successfully complete the course, many will take more than
1 year to do so.
Through NSF-TCUP grants, TCUs and AN/NHs are actively working to
address this problem by developing strong partnerships with their K-12
feeder schools to engage students in culturally appropriate STEM
education and outreach programs. Salish Kootenai College, located on
the Flathead Indian Reservation, created a 2-year STEM Academy to
prepare junior and senior high school students for college.
Participating high school students engage in collaborative work with
STEM researchers, conduct culturally relevant research, and take
courses to earn college credit.
While a number of TCUs have achieved significant advances and
success, , only a portion of the TCUs have been able to benefit from
this transformative program due in part to limited funding. We urge the
subcommittee to expand the competitively awarded NSF-TCUP grants at a
minimum of $25,000,000.
national aeronautics and space administration (nasa)
Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP).--TCUs
urge the subcommittee to expand the NASA MUREP program with robust
funding and support a TCU-specific program within MUREP at $5,000,000
for fiscal year 2023. Under its current design, MUREP provides a range
of competitive awards to Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving
Institutions to recruit and retain underrepresented students in STEM
fields.
Due to the competitive aspect of current MUREP programs and limited
funding, TCUs only receive funding from two MUREP grants: MUREP
Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO) and MUREP for American Indian
and Alaska Native STEM Engagement (MAIANSE).
MUREP Institutional Research Opportunity (MIRO)
In October 2019, under the MUREP MIRO program, Sitting Bull College
received $1 million to further develop curriculum for an environmental
science master's degree and includes support for air quality research
on the Standing Rock Reservation. SBC students and faculty work with
NASA's Langley Research Center, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and
the University of North Dakota to develop a regional research facility
to monitor air quality, generating important data for the Tribe while
providing invaluable research experience for SBC students. In the same
MUREP MIRO award cycle, Navajo Technical University was selected to
perform critical research and produce parts through its advanced
manufacturing program for the Space Launch System at NASA's Marshall
Space Flight Center. NTU's contributions through advanced manufacturing
research and innovative parts production are advancing space
exploration for the entire nation.
MUREP for American Indian and Alaska Native STEM Engagement (MAIANSE)
The MAIANSE program provides a unique opportunity for direct
collaboration between TCUs and NASA to engage students in NASA STEM-
related activities. Despite its popularity and value, participation in
the MAIANSE program has been limited to three TCU projects each grant
cycles due to limited funding.
To support the past TCU investment, AIHEC requests that the
subcommittee expand the NASA MUREP program through robust funding and
support a Tribal College and University-specific program within MUREP
at $5,000,000 for FY2023.
conclusion
Tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to high-quality,
culturally appropriate postsecondary education opportunities, including
STEM-focused programs, for thousands of AI/AN students. The modest
Federal investment in TCUs has paid great dividends in terms of
employment, education, and economic development. We ask you to renew
your commitment to help move our students and communities toward self-
sufficiency by full considering our fiscal year 2023 appropriations
requests. Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of American Institute of Biological Sciences
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) appreciates
the opportunity to provide testimony in support of fiscal year 2023
appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). We encourage
Congress to provide NSF with at least $11 billion in fiscal Year 2023.
AIBS is a scientific association dedicated to promoting informed
decision-making that advances biological research and education for the
benefit of science and society. AIBS works to ensure that the public,
legislators, funders, and the community of biologists have access to
information that can guide informed decision-making.
importance of biological research
Biological research is in our National interest. It advances our
understanding of the living world and provides solutions to important
problems. Increasing our knowledge of how genes, cells, tissues,
organisms, and ecosystems function is vitally important to efforts to
improve the human condition. Food security, medicine and public health,
national security, economic growth, and sound environmental management
are all informed by the biological sciences. Notably, biological
research helps to sustain biodiversity and healthy ecosystems that
underpin the livelihoods of communities. The knowledge gained from NSF-
funded research also contributes to the development of new research
tools and industries.
Biological research strengthens our economy. Research funding from
NSF powers the expansion of the bioeconomy and has given rise to
successful companies, such as Genentech, Ekso Bionics, and Ginkgo
BioWorks, as well as new industries that provide more robust food crops
or disease detection tools and techniques. The translation of
biological knowledge into formal and informal education programs
fosters the development of the scientifically and technically skilled
workforce needed by employers. Data show that employers continue to
seek workers with scientific and technical skills. Science and
engineering employment in the United States has grown more rapidly-at
an annual growth rate of 4 percent-compared to the 2 percent annual
growth rate for the U.S. workforce overall. In fact, the U.S. STEM
workforce constitutes 23 percent of the total U.S. workforce and is
comprised of more than 36 million people in diverse occupations that
require STEM knowledge and expertise.
importance of nsf-funded biological research
The cornerstone of NSF excellence is a competitive, merit-based
review system that underpins the highest standards of excellence.
Through its research programs, NSF invests in the development of new
knowledge and tools that solve the most challenging problems facing
society.
--Combating emerging diseases: NSF-funded research is playing crucial
role in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fundamental
research supported by NSF led to the development of critical
diagnostic tools and medical devices to combat the outbreak.
NSF supported the discovery of bacteria from thermal pools at
Yellowstone National Park that contain thermostable enzymes
that allow for the rapid copying of genetic material through a
process called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This process
was integral to manufacturing a widely used clinical test for
determining whether a patient has been infected with the virus
that causes COVID-19.
--Mobilizing big data: Access to and analysis of vast amounts of data
are driving innovation. NSF enables integration of big data
across scientific disciplines, including applications in the
biological sciences. Digitization of biodiversity and natural
science collections involves multi-disciplinary teams, which
have put more than 130 million specimens and their associated
data online for use by researchers, educators, and the public.
--Enabling synthetic biology: DNA editing has become more advanced
and targeted with techniques such as CRISPR-CAS9 allowing
scientists to rewrite genetic code and redesign biological
systems. NSF funds research on how these techniques can be used
to bio-manufacture new materials, treat diseases, and
accelerate growth of the bioeconomy.
Other examples of federally-funded research that have benefited the
public are chronicled in the AIBS report, ``Biological Innovation:
Benefits of Federal Investments in Biology,'' which is available at
https://www.aibs.org/assets/pages/policy/AIBS-Biological-Innovation-
Report.pdf.
The NSF is the primary Federal funding source for biological
research at our Nation's universities and colleges, providing 65
percent of extramural Federal support for non-medical, fundamental
biological and environmental research at academic institutions.
The NSF is also an important supporter of biological research
infrastructure, such as field stations, natural history museums, and
living stock collections. These place-based research centers enable
studies that take place over long periods of time and variable spatial
scales to provide insights into our Nation's most pressing issues.
Scientific collections are an important component of our Nation's
research infrastructure. Recent reports have highlighted the value of
mobilizing biodiversity specimens and data in spurring new scientific
discoveries that grow our economy, improve our public health and well-
being, and increase our National security. In 2019, the Biodiversity
Collections Network released their report, ``Extending U.S.
Biodiversity Collections to Promote Research and Education,'' outlining
a national agenda that leverages digital data in biodiversity
collections for new uses and calling for building an Extended Specimen
Network. A 2020 report by the National Academies of Science,
Engineering and Medicine, ``Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical
Research and Education for the 21st Century,'' argued that collections
are a critical part of our Nation's science and innovation
infrastructure and a fundamental resource for understanding the natural
world.
Both reports articulate a common vision of the future of biological
collections and define the need to broaden and deepen collections and
associated data to realize the full potential for biodiversity
collections to inform 21st century science. This endeavor requires
robust investments in our Nation's scientific collections, whether they
are owned by a Federal or state agency or are part of an educational
institution, free-standing natural history museum, or another research
center.
While many Federal agencies have a role in supporting the
development of the Extended Specimen Network, NSF has a central role to
play. The agency has been a leader in this space through the Advancing
Digitization of Biodiversity Collections program, and is now supporting
critical advancements through the Infrastructure Capacity for
Biological Research: Biological Collections program.
building the stem workforce
The NSF supports recruitment and training of our next generation of
scientists. Support for undergraduate and graduate students is
critically important to our research enterprise. Students learn science
by doing science, and NSF programs engage students in the research
process.
NSF awards reached 1,900 colleges, universities, and other public
and private institutions across the country in FY 2021. Initiatives
such as the Graduate Research Fellowship and the Faculty Early Career
Development program are important parts of our National effort to
attract and retain the next generation of researchers. Since 1952, the
number of students supported by NSF Graduate Research Fellowships has
grown to more than 60,000. In FY 2021, nearly 318,000 people, including
researchers, postdoctoral fellows, trainees, teachers and students,
were supported directly by NSF.
investing in nsf
Unfortunately, Federal research and development investments are
shrinking as a share of the U.S. economy. The U.S. is still the largest
performer of research and development globally, but our share of
worldwide scientific activity has declined considerably over the past
two decades, while countries in East and Southeast Asia, especially
China, have been rapidly increasing their investments in science.
According to the National Science Board, the annual increase of China's
R&D, averaging 10.6 percent annually between 2010 and 2019, continues
to outpace that of the United States, with an annual average of 5.4
percent from 2010 to 2019.
To remain at the global forefront of innovation and to fully
realize the benefits of NSF-supported research, the government must
make bold and sustained investments in NSF. Unpredictability in funding
disrupts research programs, create uncertainty in the research
community, and stall the development of the next great idea.
Enacting robust funding increases for NSF will allow for critical
Federal investments in scientific and educational research, as well as
support for the development of the scientific workforce. These
investments will allow NSF to increase the number of new graduate
research fellowships it awards to nurture the human capital needed to
ensure U.S. leadership in scientific innovation. Such increases will
also enable NSF to expand support for important new initiatives, such
as the Integrative Biology program, which promotes ambitious, high-
risk-high-reward collaborative research, and the Biology Integration
Institutes program, which supports collaborative research on frontier
questions about life that span multiple disciplines within and beyond
biology.
conclusion
Providing the NSF with at least $11 billion in FY 2023 is necessary
to undo the harmful effects of recent stagnant funding that slowed
American scientific discovery. The requested funding will grow and
sustain the U.S. bioeconomy and enable NSF to accelerate work on
important initiatives at the frontiers of science and engineering. This
investment will enable NSF to support research in a number of important
priority areas such as biotechnology, climate change, and advanced
biomanufacturing. Importantly, these increases will advance research on
infectious disease emergence and transmission, prevent future
pandemics, and fill gaps in our knowledge about the spread and
evolution of biological threats.
In addition to the appropriations process, Congress is currently
considering legislation relevant to the scientific community,
specifically reauthorization proposals to significantly expand NSF's
mission and budget. Increasing investments in translational research
through the new technology-focused directorate will bolster U.S. global
leadership and competitiveness in innovation. However, we urge Congress
to also make robust investments in basic and foundational research.
Please continue supporting increased investments in our Nation's
scientific capacity. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of
this request and for your prior efforts on behalf of science and the
National Science Foundation.
[This statement was submitted by Jyotsna Pandey, PhD, Public Policy
Director]
______
Prepared Statement of American Psychological Association Services, Inc.
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest
scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the
United States, with more than 133,000 researchers, educators,
clinicians, consultants and students as its members. Our mission is to
promote the advancement, communication, and application of
psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve
lives.
APA urges Congress to provide the following funding levels for
programs within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of
Justice (DOJ) in FY23.
national science foundation (nsf)
APA joins the scientific community urging Congress to provide at
least an $11 billion appropriation for the National Science Foundation
(NSF) in FY 2023. As a member of the Coalition for National Science
Funding, APA thanks Congress for its support for fundamental scientific
research supported by NSF, including the approximately 4% increase in
fiscal year 2022. As other nations continue to make dramatic increases
in their investments in science, robust funding for NSF in FY 2023 can
help the United States maintain its global leadership and
competitiveness in science and engineering. Increased support for NSF
will also provide funding for the more than $3 billion in high-quality
proposals (as estimated by the National Science Board) submitted to NSF
each year that cannot be funded.
APA urges continued investments in core psychological science
research at NSF. NSF is the only Federal agency whose primary mission
is to support basic nonbiomedical research and education across all
fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Although
psychological science receives funding from various directorates within
NSF, most core psychological research is supported by the Social,
Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate. SBE supports
research that focuses on variables that influence human behavior across
all ages, interactions among individuals and groups, and the
development of social and economic systems. While SBE funding accounts
for more than 60% of the Federal funding for basic social and
behavioral science research at academic institutions, SBE has received
historically lower levels of funding--the lowest funding level of the
seven NSF Directorates. In addition to the core behavioral research in
cognitive neuroscience, human cognition and perception, learning and
development, and social psychology, SBE continues to invest substantial
funds to participate in special initiatives and cross-directorate
programs that address vital national priorities, including emerging
technologies in society.
In addition to the SBE Directorate, APA encourages continued
support for the Biological Science Directorate (BIO) and Computer
Science and Information Systems Engineering Directorate (CISE), both of
which provide important support for psychological research at NSF. BIO
provides support for psychologists who study the principles and
mechanisms that govern life from the level of the genome and cell, to
the whole family, individual, or species. The work of CISE is of
particular importance given the emphasis from Congress and the
Administration on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence
(AI). Knowledge derived from psychological science is essential to the
work in many of the CISE divisions, as human behavior plays a key role
in the design and implementation of new technologies. Human factors
psychology is relevant for the development and advancement of automated
systems in autonomous vehicles, essential for the creation of
trustworthy and explainable AI, and necessary for research on the
future of work.
APA also urges the Committee to provide robust support for research
proposed by NSF's Convergence Accelerator and Technology, Innovation,
and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate. The Convergence Accelerators offer
new funding opportunities for research, including enhancing
opportunities for persons with disabilities, developing sustainable
materials for global challenges, and addressing food and nutrition
security. TIP is the first new directorate at NSF in over 30 years. Its
mission is to harness the Nation's vast and diverse talent pool, to
advance critical and emerging technologies, to address pressing
societal and economic challenges, and to accelerate the translation of
research results from lab to market and society. The social,
behavioral, and economic sciences are integral to these efforts which
can improve U.S. competitiveness, grow the U.S. economy and train a
diverse workforce for future, high-wage jobs.
APA strongly encourages NSF to support research to prevent, prepare
for, and respond to future pandemics. The COVID-19 worldwide public
health crisis persists, contributing to nearly 1 million deaths and
around 82 million confirmed cases in the United States (U.S.) alone.
Clear evidence illustrates wide health disparities in COVID-19 cases
and vaccine distribution. COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted
racial and ethnic minority communities across the U.S., particularly
the African American community. In addition to the human toll, the
impacts of COVID-19 have reached every sector of society, including
health care, transportation, and economics and business. Psychological
research supported by NSF has provided important insights to help
recover from COVID-19 as well as prepare for future pandemics and their
impacts on people, communities, and society. Stress and worry about
contracting the virus, coupled with job losses, loss of childcare, as
well as the devastating loss of loved ones due to COVID-19 are just a
few examples of the specific ways the pandemic has affected mental
health. To help accelerate healing and recovery, NSF partnered with the
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) early
in the pandemic to leverage knowledge from the social, behavioral and
economic (SBE) sciences and create the Societal Experts Action Network
(SEAN). SEAN helps NASEM and NSF's SBE Directorate to provide key
decision makers rapid expert consultation and develop evidence-based
recommendations to support local, State, and national responses to
COVID-19, having published 16 reports to date. The latest guidance from
the Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN) highlights new and updated
COVID-19 data measures and surveillance strategies that decision makers
can use to inform policy.
APA urges the Committee to help curb the potential loss of research
talent likely to occur if early-career researchers are forced from
scientific pathways due to economic or social circumstances which
attenuate career progression and threaten their professional futures.
While scientists across career stages have been upended by this
monumental shift, early-career scientists, such as graduate students,
postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty, are particularly vulnerable.
The interruptions to science during the COVID-19 pandemic still
threaten the research careers of an estimated 668,000 graduate students
and 64,000 postdoctoral fellows according to the National Center for
Science and Engineering Statistics, a component of NSF's SBE
Directorate. Early-career scientists are often just beginning to
establish research independence and the negative impacts of the
pandemic may be significant and long-lasting. Destabilizing
fluctuations in research productivity, faculty positions in academia,
and funding opportunities will impact early-career scientists in the
immediate and late phases of their careers.
APA applauds NSF's investments in climate science and
sustainability research. NSF has developed crucial funding mechanisms
for climate and clean energy-related research over the past year that
must continue. They fund a broad portfolio of research related to
climate science and clean energy, including research the social,
behavioral, and economic research on human responses to climate change.
Nearly all subject areas and approaches within psychology (including
environmental, cognitive, social, community, developmental,
educational, school, counseling, clinical, neuroscientific, health,
psychodynamic, humanistic, industrial and organizational, human
factors, and other subfields) offer concepts, methods, and tools that
can be applied or elaborated to address climate change.
APA supports NSF's continued mission to broaden participation in
science, research, and education. We encourage greater investments in
programming to diversify the scientific workforce through targeted
support of scholars from diverse backgrounds and resources specifically
for development and training. Additionally, we urge greater engagement
with minority serving institutions (MSIs) and improved investment with
their communities to further represent minority and historically
underrepresented populations in scientific research. APA believes that
these activities are necessary for the success of the scientific
enterprise in the U.S. and it is imperative that NSF, through its
actions, demonstrate compelling leadership to diversify the scientific
landscape of the future.
department of justice (doj)
APA is committed to reforming policing and the criminal justice
system, supporting those with mental illness within the system, meeting
the needs of victims of violence, and ensuring that high-value research
is funded, and the best scientific evidence is used to improve programs
and policies.
APA urges the Committee to adopt a reform-minded approach by
increasing appropriations for the following Office of Justice (OJP) and
Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Programs. Within OJP, APA urges the Committee
to provide $45 million for the Bureau of Justice Statistics; $43
million for the National Institute of Justice; $125 million for the
Second Chance Act including $5 million to support Children of
Incarcerated Parents demonstration grants; $35 million for Justice
Reinvestment; $117 million for Delinquency Prevention Program. To
address the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on increases in drug
misuse, APA recommends: $418 million for the Comprehensive Addiction
and Recovery Act related activities including $95 million for Drug
Courts; $25 million for Veterans Treatment Courts; $35 million for
Residential Substance Abuse Treatment; $190 million for the
Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program; and $40 million for the Justice and
Mental Health Collaboration Program. APA supports $10 million for
Crisis Stabilization and Community Re-entry Grant Program; $140 million
for STOP School Violence Act; $50 million for Mentally Ill Offender
Treatment and Crime Reduction Act; and $21 Million for Improving
Suicide Prevention Resources for States' Extreme Risk Protection
Orders; $3 million for the Missing Americans Alert Program (Kevin and
Avonte's Law). Within BOP, APA recommends $409.5 million for the First
Step Act. Though rates of domestic abuse have declined significantly
since the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), exposure
to violence remains common, with one in three women in the U.S.
experiencing rape, physical violence, or stalking at some point in
their lifetime. Flat funding for the Office on Violence Against Women
(OVW) would imperil progress made over the last three decades,
especially now that the risks are even more severe. The stay-at home
orders necessary for public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
seriously increased the risk of intimate partner violence, domestic
violence, and child maltreatment.
APA urges the Committee to increase FY23 appropriations for OVW and
prioritize the prevention of violence across the lifespan--including
domestic and sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as
children's exposure to family violence.
Of the FY 2023 funds made available to the OVW, APA specifically
requests: $400 million for Services, Training, Officers Prosecutors
(STOP) Grants; $17.5 million for Education and Training to End Violence
Against Women with Disabilities; $10 million for the Enhanced Training
and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women in Later Life
Program (Abuse in Later Life Program); $5.5 million for grants to
assist Tribal governments in exercising special domestic violence
criminal jurisdiction; $47.5 million for Rural Domestic Violence and
Child Abuse Enforcement; $18 million for the Consolidated Youth
Oriented Program; and $40 million for grants to reduce violent crimes
against women on campus. These programs are crucial in preventing
further violence, helping victims find safety and support, and starting
them on the path towards recovery.
Psychological research has revealed effective strategies to enhance
law enforcement and community relations, improve public safety, and
reduce the risks of violence and aggression. These include the
development of community-informed responses to violence, implementation
of community-based policing implemented in a way that builds trust
between police and the communities they serve, training on stereotypes
and the effects of implicit bias. APA urges the Committee to increase
FY23 funding for the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
(COPS) to support federal, State, and local activities. In particular,
APA requests $23 million for the Just Police Program (JPP); $12 million
for the Community Policing Development Program to help bolster training
for responding to people with mental illness/disability, and $16
million for the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program to
address the alarming rates of suicide among police officers.
[This statement was submitted by Katherine B. McGuire, Chief
Advocacy Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of American Society for Engineering Education
Summary: This written testimony is submitted on behalf of the
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) to the Senate
subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies for
the official record. ASEE appreciates the Committee's support for the
National Science Foundation (NSF) and asks you to robustly fund the
agency in (FY) 2023, including the Research and Related Activities and
the Education and Human Resources accounts. ASEE joins the academic and
scientific community in requesting support of at least $11 billion for
NSF in FY 2023 to help alleviate impacts of historical underinvestment
at NSF, advance core research and education activities, and address
critical technologies where the U.S. is facing major competition from
China. At NASA, ASEE supports the Administration's proposed growth for
the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) to increase its
investment in crosscutting NASA technology gaps which support engineers
and scientists in developing technology to advance science and space
missions in the National interest. ASEE also supports proposed growth
to NASA's Office of Education to advance NASA's initiatives to broaden
participation of underrepresented groups in science and engineering.
Written Testimony: The American Society for Engineering Education
(ASEE) is dedicated to advancing engineering and engineering technology
education and research and is the only society representing the
country's schools and colleges of engineering and engineering
technology. Membership includes over 12,000 individuals hailing from
all disciplines of engineering and engineering technology and includes
educators, researchers, and students as well as industry and government
representatives. As the pre-eminent authority on the education of
engineering professionals, ASEE works to develop the future engineering
and technology workforce, expand technological literacy, and convene
academic and corporate stakeholders to advance innovation and sound
policy.
national science foundation
Engineering shapes our Nation and powers our innovation ecosystem.
NSF basic research, conducted in engineering schools and colleges
around the country, catalyzes new industries and revolutionary
advances. There is high demand for a workforce of well-trained
engineers in industry and government to leverage these discoveries and
develop innovative new technologies to improve our future. The
partnership between the Federal Government and universities is
essential to growth and innovation across our economy, and is helping
to solve challenges in health, energy, and national security. NSF is a
tremendously important piece of this innovation ecosystem, funding
basic engineering and engineering education research at universities
and supporting students to enable access to engineering education.
ASEE is grateful for recent increases, yet concerned that these
investments have not kept pace with international competitors or
growing research needs. Due to budget limitations, NSF is currently
unable to fund $3.9 billion worth of very good and excellently rated
proposals each year.\1\ With more funding, tremendous amounts of
additional research and development could be undertaken, leading to
novel and transformative discoveries. As the National Science Board
predicted, in 2018 China surpassed U.S. investments in research and
development. As some countries have been steeply accelerating research
funding, increasing NSF's appropriation would help secure continued
U.S. global innovation leadership.
NSF funding has additionally fallen far behind other research
agencies, risking distortions in the overall STEM ecosystem. For
example, over the last decade the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of
Science has grown faster than NSF and is approaching having the same
funding level as NSF, despite studying a much narrower range of topics.
Other agencies depend on NSF-funded discoveries and workforce
development for their missions. NSF-funded research catalyzes
fundamental advances that are utilized for national security
applications while engineers trained with NSF funding become key
components of the National security workforce and industrial base.
Additionally, NSF has a critical role to play in promoting economic
recovery and research on many aspects of the pandemic. Continued
support of NSF will be critical as the engineering community and the
country move into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Engineers
across the country adapted quickly to the realities of the pandemic,
but challenges and disparities remain. NSF will be crucial to
rebuilding the STEM pipeline, and building a better, more diverse and
resilient STEM workforce.
ASEE joins the research and higher education community in
requesting that the Committee fund NSF at $11 billion in FY 2023 to
drive advances in research and education and ensure the U.S. retains
global competitiveness and scientific leadership.
Investments in engineering education and research from NSF are
essential for having a workforce trained and ready to contribute to
industry, government, and academia. NSF is a major supporter of
engineering research and workforce initiatives funding 45 percent of
engineering and 79 percent of computer science academic fundamental
research. NSF-funded advancements touch every corner of our lives and
economy, from wireless systems to advanced manufacturing, and from new
tools to combat brain diseases to technologies to ensure our
cybersecurity. NSF supports engineering education at all levels,
ensuring the next generation of the U.S. engineering workforce is
appropriately prepared to contribute and innovate and that domestic
students are attracted to careers in engineering and engineering
technology.
The NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) provides critical support
for engineering education and research across the breadth of the
discipline. These investments have dual outcomes of training future
engineers that will discover tomorrow's innovations, all while
furthering today's cutting-edge research. Engineering investments at
NSF provide critical advancements in areas such as resilient
infrastructure, advanced materials and manufacturing, and
bioengineering, in addition to equipping students with the skills they
need to be the next generation of technological leaders. Divisions such
as Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) support university research,
Engineering Research Centers, and engineering curriculum
revitalization, including a new expansion to support 2-to-4-year
transfer students. ENG grantees have robust partnerships with industry,
expand the boundaries of our understanding of how students most
effectively learn engineering, provide experiential opportunities
fundamental to engineering education.
The NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and
Engineering also plays a key role supporting engineering education and
research, particularly within the Division of Information & Intelligent
Systems, which supports efforts at the frontiers of information
technology, data science, and artificial intelligence, among other
areas. These investments are critical as we move into a world even more
reliant on human-technology interactions. The Division of Computer and
Network Systems has been building capacity within Minority Service
Institutions to contribute to both the knowledge base and human
resource base in computing and engineering.
ASEE is excited by the establishment of the Directorate for
Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and believes the new
directorate will help maintain the United States' leadership role in
technological innovation and development of critical technologies.
However, ASEE urges the subcommittee to provide NSF with enough funding
to meet this expanded mission in emerging technologies, research
translation, and expanding the geography of innovation while protecting
core activities that sustains our science and technology ecosystem.
ASEE strongly supports NSF Education and Human Resources (EHR)
funding to foster inclusive and effective learning and learning
environments. The STEM workforce, particularly engineers, and computer
scientists, drives our innovation and economic development. We need to
fully develop all of our Nation's human talent in order to tackle
pressing problems, including the STEM technical workforce, professional
engineers, and advanced degree holders. Access to STEM experiences and
skills are a critical aspect of developing well-rounded citizens,
technological literacy, and the future STEM workforce. ASEE supports
EHR programs including Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE)
and Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE). The first is critical for
preparing professional engineers and enhancing engineering educational
experiences to broaden participation and retention, and the latter
works to revolutionize graduate studies to best prepare students for
STEM careers.
NSF plays a key role ensuring the development of new tools for
teaching engineering design and analysis skills, which are under-taught
in today's K-12 classrooms. As noted in the 2009 National Academies
report Engineering in K-12 Education, engineering education has
received little attention yet has the potential to improve student
learning and achievement in other areas of STEM, increase awareness of
engineering careers, and increase technological literacy. Engineering's
focus on design and analysis enhances problem solving, teaches students
new ways to approach challenges, and encourages students to connect
science and math topics to real-world applications- all skills critical
to the future technical workforce. ASEE supports programs to fill
workforce needs including Advanced Technical Education (ATE) that
prepares advanced technicians for America's high-skills workforce and
graduate research fellowships and traineeships to create a pipeline of
students knowledgeable and excited about engineering.
national aeronautics and space administration
ASEE is supportive of the Administration's proposed increases to
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its Space
Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Of importance to ASEE, STMD
activities support the workforce development pipeline of future space
engineers and technicians by engaging directly with the academic
community through early career faculty programs, early-stage research
grants, and university-led multidisciplinary research institutes. The
disruptions to the STEM pipeline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic makes
this work even more crucial. STMD's broad portfolio of activities helps
to meet NASA's science objectives, establishes new commercial and
academic partnerships, and stimulates the growth of the Nation's
technology sector. STMD programs fill significant capability gaps for
NASA and better position the agency to meet its long-term strategic
goals in areas across all its directorates ranging from propulsion and
power generation to materials science and high-performance computing.
ASEE applauds the Administration's support of STMD's vital role and
urges the subcommittee to support STMD's ability to focus on a broad
array of NASA technology challenges, continue its engagement with the
academic and private sectors, and keep long-term focus beyond specific
near-term mission goals.
ASEE is also supportive of the Administration's proposed increase
for NASA's Office of STEM Engagement and asks that the Committee
support the proposed funding for this office in fiscal Year 2023 and
beyond. NASA STEM Engagement programs inspire students to pursue
engineering, science, and technology careers, and this office plays a
vital role coordinating STEM education programs throughout the agency,
including those at NASA centers. ASEE supports the continuation of the
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program (Space Grant),
which supports university consortia in all 50 States, funding
fellowships for engineering and other STEM students, while also
offering important resources for faculty professional development and
strengthening curricula. ASEE is also supportive of initiatives at the
NASA Office of STEM Engagement to broaden participation of
underrepresented groups in STEM and to bring engineering design and
analysis experiences to K-12 students.
conclusion
NSF education and research investments have truly transformed our
world through engineering breakthroughs such as the internet, fiber-
optics, and medical imaging technology. These investments keep our
communities safe, lower healthcare costs, and spur our economy. Today,
engineering research is opening possibilities through advances in areas
such as artificial intelligence, biosensors, and advanced materials. We
ask that you robustly fund NSF at $11 billion to support critical
education and research programs that support our National security,
address critical national challenges, and advance our economic
competitiveness. In addition, at NASA, we urge you to fund proposed
increases for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate and Office of
STEM Engagement. Thank you for the opportunity to submit this
testimony.
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\1\ https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2021/merit_review/FY-2020/
nsb202145.pdf.
[This statement was submitted by Adrienne R. Minerick PhD,
President, and Norman Fortenberry, ScD, Executive Director]
______
Prepared Statement of the American Society for Microbiology
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) appreciates the
opportunity to submit outside witness testimony for the Fiscal Year
2023 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations
bill in support of increased funding for the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and increased coordination of microbiome research by
the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). ASM is
one of the oldest and largest life science societies with 30,000
members in the U.S. and around the world. Our mission is to promote and
advance the microbial sciences, including programs and initiatives
funded by Federal Government departments and agencies, by virtue of the
integral role microorganisms play in human health and society.
Microbial science is a cross-cutting endeavor, and our members'
federally funded research is fundamental to advances in human health,
agriculture, energy, and the environment. For FY2023, ASM recommends
the following:
Provide at least $11 billion for the National Science Foundation in
Fiscal Year 2023.
The NSF is a key supporter of microbiology research, including
foundational research supporting ecosystems and biodiversity, mapping
the microbiome, and discovering emerging pathogens. NSF-funded
researchers across the country are working to improve lives through
research on human and animal health, agriculture, energy, the
environment, and biothreats. NSF funding is key to cultivating a
diverse and inclusive scientific workforce that is prepared for future
challenges and discoveries. However, due to lack of Federal funding,
NSF was unable to fund nearly $4 billion in highly rated research
proposals in FY2020.
Fundamental research supported by NSF will enable new discoveries
and solutions using biotechnology to promote the bioeconomy,
forecasting and mitigating the impacts of global warming on essential
ecosystem services, and predicting and preventing the emergence and
spread of infectious diseases. NSF-funded research advances our
understanding of the 70 percent of emerging human pathogens that have
non-human origins, which pose serious threats to human health and
global health security. To continue to achieve its goals, it is
critical that the FY2023 appropriations bill robustly fund NSF.
Urge the Office of Science and Technology Policy to implement
FY2022 CJS Appropriations report language on the microbiome and revisit
the Interagency Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research.
Interagency coordination is more crucial than ever and responding
to 21st challenges will require interdisciplinary and interagency
coordination. Microbiome science aims to advance understanding of
microbial communities (microbiomes) for applications in areas such as
health care, food production, and environmental restoration to benefit
individuals, communities, and the environment. Understanding of the
microbiome has evolved significantly since the concept of the human
microbiome emerged roughly two decades ago. Today it is understood that
microbial communities exist on, in, and around people, animals, and the
environment, and directly impact health and disease States. It is also
clear that microbiome research and coordination are essential to
unlocking the full potential of the bioeconomy. However, the rapid pace
of discovery and the interdisciplinary nature of microbiome research
necessitates cross-agency coordination and a robust data sharing
infrastructure.
Launched in 2016, the National Microbiome Initiative pledged $121
million in funding from Federal agencies and $400 million in total cash
and in-kind contributions from 100 companies, foundations and academic
institutions. As part of this initiative, the Federal Microbiome
Interagency Working Group developed the Interagency Strategic Plan for
Microbiome Research, providing recommendations for improving
coordination of microbiome research among Federal agencies and between
agencies and non-Federal domestic and international microbiome research
efforts. The 5-year Strategic Plan envisioned coordinated microbiome
research activities across 21 government agencies, set out interagency
objectives, structure and operating principles, and noted several
research focus areas.
ASM is grateful to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees
for including requested language in FY2022 report language that asks
OSTP to review the Interagency Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research,
to evaluate the progress made, consider whether the Federal investment
has been adequate to fully realize the promise of this initiative, and
begin the process to develop a strategic plan for interagency
collaboration in this essential research for the next 5 years. We
encourage the Committee to follow up with OSTP on implementation of
this language.
conclusion
ASM is particularly grateful to Congress for increasing investment
in the NSF in recent years. In FY2023, we urge Congress to revisit
OSTP's past commitment to microbiome research and to increase funding
for NSF to $11 billion. We thank you for your continued support for
microbe-powered innovation.
[This statement was submitted by Allen Segal, Director of Public
Policy and Advocacy]
______
Prepared Statement of The American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals
On behalf of our over 2 million supporters, The American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) appreciates this
opportunity to submit testimony to the Senate Appropriations
subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA is the first humane organization established
in the U.S. and serves as the Nation's leading voice for animal
welfare. We respectfully request that the subcommittee consider the
following concerns when making fiscal year 2023 appropriations.
police encounters with pets
Media reports about violent encounters between law enforcement
officers and pets--most often family dogs--are far too commonplace
across the country. The ASPCA believes that the vast majority of these
incidents are avoidable. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) can
assist in reducing these incidents by collecting national data around
them and by providing resources for techniques to handle police and dog
encounters in law enforcement de-escalation trainings. Tragedies like
this take a serious toll on communities, further eroding trust with law
enforcement, escalating tense situations, and endangering bystanders.
There are many troubling examples of these incidents, some of which
have garnered media attention in the last 18 months.\1\
Shootings involving pets often account for a significant percentage
of the total firearms discharges in a particular agency. Data from some
municipalities suggest that 25-75 percent of all police firearm
discharges are directed at dogs.\2\ One DOJ official estimated that
several thousand dogs annually are killed by law enforcement officers
and described the phenomenon as ``an epidemic''.\3\ Additionally,
research reveals that these incidents take a disproportionate toll on
communities of color. An analysis of officer-involved shootings in Los
Angeles County revealed that between 28-46 percent of all firearms
discharges were directed at dogs, and these shootings were
geographically clustered in low-income communities of color.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On May 3, Sacramento police officers shot and killed a family
dog while serving a search warrant on the property. On April 17,
Chicago police officers shot and injured a family dog while responding
to a domestic dispute. Body cam footage from April 11 shows a
Jacksonville, Florida police officer shooting and killing a family's 1-
year-old puppy in her yard while responding to a neighbor's 911 call.
Body cam footage from January 12 shows a Miami Dade officer shooting
and killing a family dog seven times while responding to a barking
complaint. On April 11 of last year, New Orleans police officers shot
and killed an 18-week-old rescue puppy in his yard while responding to
a 911 call. On March 23 of last year, the Tampa PD shot the dog of the
woman who had called them for help.
\2\ Bathurst, Cynthia, Donald Cleary, Karen Delise, Ledy VanKavage,
and Patricia Rushing. 2015. The Problem of Dog-Related Incidents and
Encounters. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing
Services; https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/Publications/cops-p206-pub.pdf.
\3\ Griffin, David; ``Can Police Stop Killing Dogs?.'' Police
Magazine; Oct. 29, 2014; https://www.policemag.com/341722/can-police-
stop-killing-dogs.
\4\ Stefano Bloch, Daniel E. Martinez. 2020. Canicide by Cop: A
geographical analysis of canine killings by police in Los Angeles.
Geoforum: 111. 142-154; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/
abs/pii/S0016718520300440.
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The House Fiscal Year 2022 Commerce, Justice, and Science
Appropriations report included language directing the DOJ to include
use of force incidents in any Federal database created to track law
enforcement's use of force more broadly, or to submit a report on how
this can be accomplished within 180 days. This language was included by
reference in the final report. We greatly appreciate the subcommittee's
support to include this new language. The DOJ recently announced a new
police reform initiative, providing resources for de-escalation
trainings, among other community-oriented policing priorities.\5\ This
request is in line with this administrative priority.
Encourage documentation and tracking for incidents of police use of
force against pets:
Use of force reporting requirements among State and local law
enforcement agencies are inconsistent, and many agencies do not require
documentation for use of force incidents involving pets. Federally, no
nationwide data exists regarding the prevalence of these tragedies, or
for officer-involved shootings more broadly. DOJ's Federal Bureau of
Investigations operates a National Use of Force Data Collection, which
allows law enforcement to voluntarily provide data on use-of-force
incidents. The voluntary data, which currently reflects only 40 percent
of the total law enforcement officer population, does not, apparently,
include incidents involving pets.\6\ A publication by the DOJ's Office
of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recognized the lack of
data on this issue and urged law enforcement agencies to examine
questions like how often police officers discharge firearms in dog-
related incidents and how many dogs have been killed to better
understand and address this problem.\7\ Understanding the scope and
frequency of these incidents is fundamental to avoiding them.
Provide resources and training to de-escalate police encounters with
pets and reduce violent incidents:
De-escalation trainings have proven to be quite beneficial in
resolving situations with dogs without resorting to lethal force.\8\
Several States including Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, California, Texas,
Nevada, and Georgia mandate training and have created programs on
proper responses to encounters with dogs. These policies appear to be
having a positive impact--between 2015 when the law was enacted and
2019, the number of dogs shot by police in Texas dropped from 281 to
31.\9\ Other States including Connecticut, Louisiana, New Jersey, and
Oregon address law enforcement encounters with dogs either in basic
training or through electives. The COPS office, which provides training
for police departments on a variety of topics, published The Problem of
Dog-Related Incidents and Encounters in 2011, which served as the
foundation for a jointly created video series and toolkit in 2020 that
provides training on methods for responding to dog encounters,
including assessing dog behavior and risk levels, strategies for
diffusing threatening encounters, as well as defense and escape
tactics.\10\ The evidence is compelling that funding for the use of
such trainings or creating incentives to do so could minimize risk to
officers, families, and animals.
The ASPCA requests that the subcommittee recognize the impact of
law enforcement's use of force in communities and the need to avoid
such incidents by including the following report language in its FY23
Appropriations bill:
Police Use of Force Against Pets.--Police shootings directed at
pets can account for a significant percentage of overall firearms
discharges in communities--data from some localities suggests that
anywhere from 25-75 percent of all law enforcement firearms discharges
are directed at dogs, and that these incidents are geographically
clustered in low-income communities of color where police shootings
involving people are also concentrated. These occurrences escalate
encounters with communities and erode trust in law enforcement.
The committee continues to be concerned about the lack of data and
reporting requirements for police use of force incidents against pets
and directs the Department to incorporate data on these incidents into
broader efforts to collect, track, and report on police use-of-force
and to provide guidance to law enforcement agencies regarding best
practices in tracking and reporting data on these incidences.
The Department shall develop a grant program to support Law
Enforcement Dog Encounters Training (LEDET) or other evidenced-based
training programs for law enforcement to handle encounters with pets.
The grants shall be made available to law enforcement agencies and
other qualified entities, including nonprofit organizations and
institutions of higher education.
Thank you for your consideration of this request, we look forward
to working with you on this important issue.
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\5\ https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-40-
million-funding-advance-community-policing-and-5-million.
\6\ See ``What is Collected?'' https://crime-data-
explorer.app.cloud.gov/officers/national/united-States/uof.
\7\ Bathurst, Cynthia, Donald Cleary, Karen Delise, Ledy VanKavage,
and Patricia Rushing. 2015. The Problem of Dog-Related Incidents and
Encounters. Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing
Services; https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/Publications/cops-p206-pub.pdf.
\8\ Amendola, Karen, Valdovinos, Maria, Perea, Cesar. 2019. An
Evidence-Based Approach to Dog Shootings in Routine Police Encounters:
Regulations, Policies, Practices, and Training Implications. https://
www.policefoundation.org/publication/reducing-dog-shootings-in-routine-
police-encounters-regulations-policies-practices-and-training-
implications/.
\9\ Texas Humane Legislative Network.
\10\ https://www.sheriffs.org/ledet.
[This statement was submitted by Nancy Perry, Senior Vice
President, Government Relations]
______
Prepared Statement of The American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Dear Chairwoman Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran:
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of
America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) represent
more than 8,000 scientists and students, 13,500 Certified Crop Advisers
(CCA), and more than 700 Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS).
We are the largest coalition of scientists and professionals dedicated
to the agronomic, crop, and soil science disciplines in the United
States.
In the coming decades, our agricultural system must sustainably
produce food and fuel for a rapidly growing global population. The
Nation's economic prosperity and security depend on our dedication to
developing innovative, science-based solutions to address the
challenges facing our food system. We appreciate the appropriations the
National Science Foundation (NSF) received in (FY) 2022. Yet, as our
Nation's producers face increasing extreme weather, limited resources,
and market uncertainty, NSF's programs become even more important
providers of the science they need to stay in business. NSF's Big Ideas
initiatives, its core programs, and its unparalleled support for STEM
students and the future STEM workforce require increased investment.
We support $11 billion for the National Science Foundation for the
fiscal year 2023. This funding level will put the premier government-
funding agency for scientific research on track to address farmers'
challenges by increasing the broad knowledge base supported by a wide
range of scientific disciplines, such as biology, plant science,
chemistry and soil science.
Within NSF we are very supportive of Signals in the Soil program.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in 1935, ``A nation that destroys its
soils destroys itself,'' and yet our soils are eroding at an alarming
rate. This interdisciplinary program is a collaboration among four NSF
Directorates, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute
of Food and Agriculture, and five international science organizations
to encourage convergent research and high-impact projects that advance
a more comprehensive understanding of soil and the systems soils
support.
In 2017, NSF launched its 10 ``Big Ideas,'' a set of cutting-edge
research agendas and processes poised to drive NSF's long-term research
agenda. We are particularly supportive of NSF's Convergence Accelerator
and Understanding the Rules of Life Initiatives. The Convergence
Accelerator puts systems thinking into research practice. Agriculture
researchers are uniquely aware of the multiple disciplines,
technologies, and expertise necessary to produce realistic and useful
information for producers working in large, multi-faceted outdoor
systems. From water management to precision agriculture, this program
provides support for exactly the kind of systems-level research
successful agriculture requires. The Understanding the Rules of Life
Initiative aims to address one of the biggest gaps in biological
knowledge: our inability to predict an organism's observable
characteristics--its phenotype--from what we know about its genetics
and environment. This cross-disciplinary research could help create
food crops with higher yields or nutritional content and new models for
environmental remediation.
ASA, CSSA, SSSA have made the commitment to enhancing the
experiences, opportunities, and safety of all Society members by
creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment in our
scientific fields of study. NSF can play an invaluable role in
addressing the equity challenges facing minority and underrepresented
groups within the research workforce. We know that students and
researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to choose a
field with unreliable funding. Robust Federal funding for NSF can
advance a more representative and equitable research enterprise by
bolstering the student pipeline, expanding educational programs and
grants--especially for MSIs, expanding resources for early career
researchers, and facilitating collaborations with diverse stakeholders
to address existential threats, such as climate change.
Science is essential. A strong commitment to federally funded
scientific research will boost the Nation's capacity for innovation,
productivity, and economic prosperity.
Thank you for your consideration. For additional information or to
learn more about ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, please contact Rachel Owen at
[email protected] or 608-268-4965.
Sincerely,
Luther Smith, Interim CEO
______
Prepared Statement of American Society of Plant Biologists
On behalf of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), I
submit this testimony for the official record to support $11 billion
for the National Science Foundation (NSF) for (FY) 2023. ASPB
recognizes the difficult fiscal environment our Nation faces, but we
believe that sustained investments in scientific research are a
critical step toward economic recovery and continued global competitive
innovation for our Nation. ASPB would also like to thank the
subcommittee for its consideration of this testimony and for its strong
support for the research missions of NSF.
ASPB, founded in 1924 as the American Society of Plant
Physiologists, was established to promote the growth and development of
plant biology, to encourage and publish research in plant biology, and
to promote the interests and professional advancement of plant
scientists in general. ASPB members educate, mentor, advise, and
nurture future generations of plant biologists; they work to increase
understanding of plant biology, as well as science in general, in K-16
schools and among the general public; they advocate in support of plant
biology research; they work to convey the relevance and importance of
plant biology; and they provide expertise in policy decisions world-
wide. Overall, ASPB members, as representatives of the society, work to
disseminate information and excitement about plant sciences, especially
through ASPB's advocacy, outreach activities, conferences, and
publications.
food, fuel, environment, and health: plant biology
research and america's future
Plants are vital to our very existence. They harvest sunlight,
converting it to chemical energy for food and feed; they absorb carbon
dioxide and produce oxygen; and they are the primary producers on which
most life depends. Indeed, plant biology research is making many
fundamental contributions in the areas of energy security and
environmental stewardship; the continued and sustainable development of
better foods, fabrics, and building materials; and in the understanding
of biological principles that underpin the health and nutrition of all
Americans. In short, plant biology research is at the foundation of a
robust American bioeconomy.
Plant science has become the backbone of agricultural innovation,
and a thriving agricultural sector is a cornerstone for America's
economic success. Agriculture and related industries comprise 6 percent
of the U.S. GDP, contributing nearly $1.055 trillion and 19.7 million
jobs to the economy.\1\ In fact, despite persistent U.S. trade
deficits, there has been a surplus in agricultural trade since 1960.
Steady increases in yield have made these surpluses possible, even in
the face of sustained population growth. Such increases are due to
improvements in crop seeds and agricultural innovations that, in turn,
rely on sustained fundamental and applied research in crop science and
plant biology. American farmers have experienced and come to expect
continuously increasing yields, which are necessary for economic and
national security. But for this to continue, growing investments in
basic biological sciences are needed.
Plant biology is at the interface of numerous scientific
breakthroughs. For example, NSF has supported high throughput
experimental approaches that facilitate extraordinary syntheses of
information, and plant biologists are using computer science and
bioinformatics to make tremendous strides in our understanding of
complex biological systems, ranging from single cells to entire
ecosystems. Ultimately, understanding how plants function will enable
biotechnological approaches toward more nutritious and productive
crops, new sources of fuel, and the development of novel medicines to
treat diseases like cancer.
Despite the significant positive impact plants have on our Nation's
economy and in addressing some of our most urgent challenges, including
food and energy security, Federal investments in fundamental plant
biology research are modest. Still, scientists have maximized and
leveraged this funding to understand the basic functions and mechanisms
of plants, providing a foundation for vital advances in practical
applications in agriculture, health, energy, and the environment.
robust funding for the national science foundation
ASPB supports the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and
Partnerships (TIP) and its goal to advance science and engineering
research and innovation. This new directorate will accelerate basic
research to solve national and societal problems. TIP will support use-
inspired research in biotechnology, among other areas, and propel NSF-
funded discoveries to new levels of innovation. TIP will also fund
activities in priority areas such as climate resilience and energy
sufficiency, advanced wireless research, biotechnology,
microelectronics and semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, AI, and
quantum sciences. Programs that broaden participation would also see
major growth, and NSF would launch a new initiative aimed at building
research capacity at emerging research institutions.
ASPB encourages strong support for the Directorate of Biological
Sciences (BIO) and proportional funding increases across all of the
scientific disciplines NSF supports. As scientific research becomes
increasingly interdisciplinary, a diverse research portfolio at NSF is
needed to maintain transformational research and innovation. NSF
funding for plant biology specifically enables the scientific community
to address cross-cutting research questions that could ultimately solve
grand challenges related to a sustainable food supply, energy security,
and improved health and nutrition.
NSF BIO is a critical source of funding for scientific research,
providing the majority of the Federal support for non-medical, basic
life sciences research at U.S. academic institutions and beyond. BIO
supports research ranging from the molecular to the biosphere levels.
These investments have significant payoffs, both in terms of the
knowledge directly generated and in deepening collaborations and
fostering innovation among communities of scientists.
BIO's Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) is an excellent example
of a high impact program that has laid a strong scientific research
foundation for understanding plant genomics as it relates to energy
(biofuels), health (nutrition and functional foods), agriculture
(impact of changing climates on agronomic ecosystems), and the
environment (plants' roles as primary producers in ecosystems). ASPB
asks that the PGRP be funded at the highest possible level and have
sustained funding growth to address 21st century challenges.
Additionally, ASPB is encouraged by the ongoing efforts of the
Reintegrating Biology initiative. The Society hopes that these efforts
will result in innovative, cross-disciplinary efforts that advance both
plant science and biological research.
Without significant and increased support for BIO and NSF,
promising fundamental research discoveries will be delayed and vital
collaborations at the leading edges of scientific disciplines will be
postponed, thus limiting the ability to respond to the pressing
scientific problems that exist today and the new challenges on the
horizon. Addressing these scientific priorities also helps improve the
competitive position of the U.S. in a global marketplace.
continued support for nsf education and workforce development programs
As discussed above, among the challenges brought by a changing
world, many will be addressed specifically by plant scientists.
Sustained increases in crop productivity will be needed to match the
demand for food expected from population growth. At the same time,
climate change will present new challenges for crops and other plant
ecosystems. These challenges will require efforts to increase
productivity beyond current practices, including, for example,
improvement in crop water use efficiency and enhanced crop
photosynthesis efficiency and performance. More knowledge and
innovation will be needed to replace chemicals from non-renewable
sources (from fuels to biomedical applications) with plant-derived
metabolites. These innovations will require contributions from basic
and applied plant science fields, as well as collaboration with other
sciences and engineering.
To tackle these challenges, a strong and diverse community of plant
scientists, with increased involvement from women and minority
scientists who often bring underrepresented perspectives, will be
needed. However, the current training pipeline does not appear prepared
to ensure the availability of this workforce. The number of PhD degrees
awarded in the U.S. in biomedical sciences in the last two decades has
increased at an unsustainable rate, even triggering warnings from
members of the National Academy of Sciences;\2\ however, this trend has
not been paralleled by increases in plant-related PhD degrees. In fact,
plant science doctoral degrees, both basic and agronomy-related, have
remained stagnant during this period.\3\ Students gravitate towards
fields with reliable and robust career and earning opportunities. What
is necessary to change these trends is a strong investment in plant
science research, basic and applied, renewed efforts to transform
public perception of plant biology and plant biologists, and a push to
increase the number of students in the plant science pipeline.
Developing the workforce that will solve current and future challenges
is urgent.
The NSF is a major source of funding for the education and training
of the American scientific workforce and for understanding how
educational innovations can be most effectively implemented. NSF's
education portfolio impacts students at all levels, including K-12,
undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate, as well as the public.
ASPB urges the subcommittee to support expanding NSF's fellowship
and career development programs-such as the Postdoctoral Research
Fellowships in Biology, the Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF), the
Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences
(RaMP), and the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) programs--
thereby providing continuity in funding opportunities for the country's
most promising early career scientists.
ASPB urges support for NSF to further develop programs aimed at
increasing the diversity of the scientific workforce by leveraging
professional scientific societies' commitment to provide a professional
home for scientists throughout their education and careers and to help
promote and sustain broad participation in the sciences. Focused
training and infrastructure support programs for Hispanic Serving
Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Tribal
Colleges and Universities remain vitally important, because they foster
a scientific workforce that reflects the U.S. population.
ASPB also urges support for research that enhances our
understanding of how educational innovations can be sustainably and
effectively implemented. NSF Education and Human Resources (EHR)
programs provide opportunities to expand NSF's research and evaluation
efforts to address scale-up and sustainability. ASPB encourages
continued support for education research programs within NSF's EHR
portfolio with a focus on understanding how previous investments in
educational strategies can be made most effective.
Grand research challenges will not be solved in a year, an
administration, or a generation. It takes attention and investment at
Federal research agencies, such as the NSF, over decades.
Thank you for your consideration of ASPB's testimony. For more
information about ASPB, please visit at www.aspb.org.
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\1\ https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-
charting-the-essentials/ag-and-food-sectors-and-the-economy/.
\2\ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
2018. The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
Researchers: Breaking Through. Washington, DC: The National Academies
Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25008.
\3\ National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey
of Earned Doctorates. https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/builder/
sed?type=chart&convert=1.
[This statement was submitted by Crispin Taylor, PhD, Chief
Executive Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of Association for Psychological Science
aps recommendations for fiscal year 2023 appropriations
--The Association for Psychological Science (APS) supports (FY) 2023
funding of at least $11 billion for the National Science
Foundation (NSF). The NSF is critical to ensuring the success
of the Nation's science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) enterprise and to promoting national
security and prosperity.
--APS recommends increased funding for NSF's Social, Behavioral, and
Economic (SBE) Sciences Directorate. This NSF directorate is
the primary funder of behavioral research conducted at U.S.
colleges and universities. SBE-funded research provides the
foundation upon which our knowledge of people, including our
understanding of the human mind, brain, and behavior, is built.
--APS requests Congress encourage NSF to increase the number of
Graduate Research Fellowships to 3,000 in FY 2023. This program
provides essential support that empowers students to pursue
graduate education and training in STEM fields.
statement of aps chief executive officer
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the
subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony about
psychological science priorities and interests at NSF in FY 2023. I am
Robert Gropp, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of APS, which is a nonprofit
scientific organization of approximately 25,000 scientists and students
dedicated to advancing research psychology for the benefit of science
and society. Many of these members are scientists and educators at the
Nation's universities and colleges who conduct research and train
undergraduate and graduate students with support from NSF.
funding for the national science foundation and policy issues
APS joins with the Coalition for National Science Funding to
request that Congress provide at least $11 billion in FY 2023 funding
for NSF. NSF-funded research and training programs are engines that
power the discovery and innovation that grow our economy, promote
national security, and enhance human well-being.
NSF-funded research and education benefit every State and local
community across the United States. In 2021, for example, New Hampshire
research institutions secured more than $33 million in research and
education support from NSF, and institutions across Kansas received $40
million. NSF is helping institutions in both States address the COVID-
19 pandemic and other issues through funding, for example, the
development of behavioral theories about resilience and sustainability
for use by engineers (University of New Hampshire) and the study of how
debt and economic insecurity developed during the pandemic and how
these factors affect low-income communities (Dartmouth College). Other
NSF-supported research examined challenges faced by individuals using
public libraries for computing and Internet access amid the COVID-19
pandemic (University of Kansas) and how scientific goals and values can
support responsible research conduct (Kansas State University).
Specifically, APS urges increased funding for NSF behavioral and
social sciences and economics programs. The SBE directorate funds
research on critical areas such as understanding human interactions
with artificial intelligence and developing a secure and trustworthy
cyberspace. The SBE directorate also works with other NSF directorates
on major NSF projects such as the Future of Work and Human-Technology
Frontier, Growing Convergence Research, and Harnessing the Data
Revolution, ensuring that social and behavioral science research is
contributing to our understanding and advancing these research areas
critical to the future of science and engineering.
APS encourages Congress to provide sufficient funding to NSF to
empower the agency to allocate increased funding for SBE. For this
purpose, APS requests that Congress adopt the following report
language:
Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE).--
The Committee supports the SBE directorate and recognizes the
fundamental importance of the research it supports in advancing
scientific understanding of critical challenges facing our
Nation. These sciences also afford insights into advancing
public health, defense and security, education and learning,
and the interface between humans and technology. The SBE
directorate funds more than half of our Nation's university-
based behavioral science research, yet it is the smallest NSF
directorate. The Committee believes that behavioral science
provides evidence-based understanding of human behavior and
recognizes the SBE directorate's unique role in funding this
research. The Committee therefore recommends an increase over
the Fiscal Year 2022 levels for SBE activities comparable to
the increases provided for the other directorates.
NSF facilitates a wide variety of research conducted at colleges
and universities across the United States. The agency also empowers the
next generation of scientists to begin and continue their training and
education in science. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program, or
GRFP, is one such example of this work. Historically, NSF has awarded
around 2,100 of these fellowships per year, but it receives
applications from many more qualified students than it can support. For
this reason, APS encourages Congress to provide NSF with funding to
support at least 3,000 GRFP awards annually.
APS requests that the following language be included in the fiscal
Year 2023 CJS Report:
Graduate Research Fellowship Program.--The Committee notes that the
Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) has a long history
of supporting outstanding graduate students studying NSF-
supported sciences, engineering, and mathematics fields,
including behavioral science, and selects recipients who go on
to achieve high levels of success in their future academic and
professional careers. In recognition of this program's
contributions to launching the careers of talented future
scientists, the Committee has provided the resources necessary
to fund more than 3,000 grants in Fiscal Year 2023 and urges
the program to continue to grow in future years.
summary and conclusion
Knowledge gained from NSF-funded psychological science research is
essential to advancing innovation and discovery, improving the Nation's
health and prosperity, and strengthening economic and national
security. The importance of this research has been on display during
the COVID pandemic. As an illustration of what investment in SBE
sciences can do, I direct you to the APS Global Collaboration on COVID-
19. This initiative has brought together psychological scientists and
other experts to make recommendations on how we can draw on our field
for the good of the country. This collaboration has identified that
psychological and other behavioral sciences could have been better
applied throughout the COVID-19 crisis, that these fields can
contribute to COVID-19 and future threats, and that new research and
research funding are urgently needed to best prepare society for future
crises. I would be pleased to share further information on this effort
with any interested Members of the subcommittee at your convenience.
APS shares your commitment to fostering innovation through
investment in research. We appreciate the opportunity to provide this
testimony, and we thank you for your leadership.
[This statement was submitted by Robert Gropp, PhD, Chief Executive
Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of Association of Science and Technology Centers,
American Alliance of Museums, Association of Children's Museums, and
Association of Science Museum Directors
Dear Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the
subcommittee:
Thank you for accepting this statement submitted by the Association
of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), the American Alliance of
Museums (AAM), the Association of Children's Museums (ACM), and the
Association of Science Museum Directors (ASMD).
We appreciate the opportunity to present the views of our
associations to the subcommittee for its consideration as it prepares
to write the Fiscal Year 2023 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies Appropriations bill, particularly regarding the National
Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
Our associations represent more than 5,000 member organizations in
every State and district in America, including science centers, museums
of all types, nature centers, aquariums, zoos, planetariums, botanical
gardens, and natural history and children's museums, as well as
companies, consultants, and other organizations that share an interest
in science education and public engagement in science.
Taken together, our National reach is a vital resource for
fostering rich public engagement in the importance of science and many
other subjects and disciplines towards building a bright future and
opportunity for all. Our place-based organizations are leading
institutions in the efforts to promote education in science,
technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), developing
rich, innovative, and effective science-learning experiences. We are
helping to create the future STEAM workforce and inspiring people of
all ages about the wonders and the meaning of science in their lives.
Our members are trusted and valued by their communities-a recent
national public opinion poll, showed that 95% of voters would approve
of lawmakers who acted to support museums and 96% of voters want
Federal funding for museums to be maintained or increased (Museums and
Public Opinion, S. Wilkening and AAM, 2018).
These past 2 years have been especially challenging for our
community as nearly all of our members, many of whom receive the
majority of their operating income from revenue from people coming
through their doors, experienced prolonged closure of their facilities.
Even as they have reopened to the public, attendance and revenue may
take several years to recover. While Federal relief programs have
provided an essential lifeline, the impact on our members will long
outlast COVID relief (National Snapshot of COVID-19 Impact on United
States Museums, AAM and Wilkening Consulting, 2021). At the same time,
our member institutions continued to serve their communities and their
missions, engaging their regions with STEM and youth engagement,
supporting science learning and serving their communities in myriad
other ways. Indeed, one of the most inspiring aspects of the past 2
years is how our member organizations have shown up for their
communities and worked closely with local residents and organizations
to advance conversation and action on the most urgent local priorities.
For example, a year ago ASTC, AAM, and ACM joined with a coalition
of other national organizations to launch Communities for Immunity
(www.
communitiesforimmunity.org), an initiative supported by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Museum and Library
Services to activate museums, libraries, and Tribal organizations to
boost vaccine confidence in their communities. Building upon the high
degree of trust that the public has in these cultural institutions,
Communities for Immunity has been able to effectively engage vaccine
hesitant members of their local communities.
As the Nation hopefully emerges from the immediacy of the pandemic,
this example of action by the museum and library community demonstrates
how these trusted institutions embedded in their communities offer an
opportunity to advance community conversation and action on national
and international challenges in locally relevant ways.
requests for fiscal year 2023 appropriations
We appreciate the support that the subcommittee has provided for
the Nation's science and education agencies, including support for
programs of particular interest to ASTC, AAM, ACM, and ASMD.
In general, we stress the need for inclusive programs that include
support for informal education as much STEAM learning-including but not
limited to school-aged youth-happens outside of formal schooling.
Research has consistently shown that learning experiences outside of
the formal classroom are vitally important to youth's future interest
and capacity in STEAM (National Academies, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015,
2016).
National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of our Nation's most
important sources of support for STEM education, including many of the
programs centered in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources
(EHR). EHR supports STEAM education at all levels and for all audiences
to help develop a diverse and well-prepared workforce and a
scientifically well-informed citizenry.
Of particular interest to the museum community is the Advancing
Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program in the Division of Research on
Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, which advances new approaches
to and evidence-based understanding of learning in informal
environments. However, current funding levels have limited the ability
of the program to support the range of informal STEM education programs
that have been ranked highly competitive. We ask you to provide at
least $74.5 million for the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
program.
NSF also supports STEAM education and informal learning through its
research directorates, and we urge the subcommittee to provide
increased funding for the NSF Directorates for Biological Sciences;
Education and Human Resources; Geosciences; and Social, Behavioral and
Economic Sciences to continue to support museum research, collections,
and programs that are key to lifelong STEAM education. We also support
the focus on the intersection of science and society in NSF's new
Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
Finally, we support continued analysis and refinement of the
broader impacts criterion on which all NSF proposals are evaluated,
including efforts to enhance training for merit review panelists and
NSF program officers-and the development of tools for evaluating and
documenting the societal impacts of research.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) supports
informal STEM education in a variety of ways. The Teams Engaging
Affiliate Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program, within
the Office of STEM Engagement, provides support for museums and
planetariums to enhance programs related to space exploration,
aeronautics, space and earth science, or microgravity.
We request at least $130 million for NASA's Office of STEM
Engagement, including at least $15 million for the Teams Engaging
Affiliate Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program.
In addition, NASA's Science Mission Directorate supports museums
and museum networks through its Science Activation program, which
connects competitively-selected teams across the country with NASA
infrastructure teams. Last year, more than 50 teams supported by the
program engaged more than 21 million learner interactions in all 50
States. To continue the program's evolution and strong reach
nationwide, we request at least $47 million for the SciAct Program.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA's Office of Education offers two grant programs to advance
education in areas relevant to NOAA's mission, including support for
museums, zoos, aquariums, and science centers. These programs help
enhance the understanding and use of environmental information to
promote informed decision-making by educators, students, and the
public.
--The Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program promotes
place-based experiential learning for K-12 students and related
professional development for educators.
--Environmental Literacy grants support activities that inspire
people to use Earth system science to improve ecosystem
stewardship and increase resilience to environmental hazards.
For more than 15 years, these grants have supported museum
exhibitions, K-12 curricula, online education resources,
citizen science activities, out-of-school programs, and
professional development for educators.
As the need for enhanced education about our changing climate and
community resilience increases, there is a need for a concurrent
increase in the budget for the Office of Education. We request at least
$35 million for NOAAs Office of Education.
We continue to thank the subcommittee for all its support of a
robust science and education budget. You have demonstrated your support
for crucial programs that promote STEAM education for our Nation's
students. Like our organizations, you recognize these are vital
investments in our future, and we thank you in advance for taking
action accordingly.
Our organizations stand ready to be of service to your work. We are
always happy to provide examples of the ways that museums are
contributing to their communities and helping to advance local,
regional, and national priorities. With our networks of hundreds of
community-based institutions, these examples can be in or near each
Congressional district.
Founded in 1973, the Association of Science and Technology Centers
(ASTC) is a network of nearly 700 science and technology centers and
museums, and allied organizations, engaging more than 110 million
people annually across North America and in almost 50 countries. With
its members and partners, ASTC works towards a vision of increased
understanding of-and engagement with-science and technology among all
people. www.astc.org.
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has been bringing museums
together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices,
gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of
concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000
individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and
corporate partners serving the museum field, the Alliance stands for
the broad scope of the museum community. www.aam-us.org.
The Association of Children's Museums (ACM) champions children's
museums worldwide. With more than 460 members in 50 States and 19
countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children's museums
through convening, sharing, and dissemination.
www.childrensmuseums.org.
The Association of Science Museum Directors (ASMD) is a non-profit,
professional association of natural history and other science museum
directors. Our community of museum leaders gathers to share experiences
and discuss issues related to the advancement of our respective
organizations to benefit society and the planet. www.asmd-us.org.
[This statement was submitted by Christofer Nelson, President and
CEOAssociation of Science and Technology Centers; Laura Lott, President
and CEO, American Alliance of Museums; Arthur G. Affleck, III,
Executive Director, Association of Children's Museums; and Bonnie
Styles, Executive Director, Association of Science Museum Directors]
______
Prepared Statement of Board Member of Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.
Chairman Cartwright, Ranking Member Aderholt, and members of the
subcommittee, my name is Judge Thomas Foster, and I am a retired Kansas
District judge, a current member of the National Council of Juvenile
and Family Court Judges, and a board member of Youth Advocates Program.
I am pleased to submit testimony on behalf of a coalition of
organizations, co-led by the Youth First Initiative and Columbia
Justice Lab's Youth Corrections Leaders for Justice. These
organizations work to assist States in building on the past two decades
of successful youth justice system accountability, reform, and
improvement through expanding access to more effective and cost-
efficient community-based alternatives for youth. Federal investments
play a key role in juvenile justice efforts to protect youth, prevent
delinquency, and promote safe communities. To accomplish these goals,
we seek $100 million for a new initiative in the Department of
Justice's (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP) that would support grants to States to implement a robust
planning process to (1) close failed and ineffective youth prisons, (2)
expand access to more effective and cost-efficient community-based
alternatives, and (3) address economic concerns, such as the re-
employment of facility workers and the economic impact of facility
closures on communities. I want to thank the subcommittee for its past
funding of Federal juvenile justice programs and urge it to support
this new initiative at OJJDP to support States in moving from costly
and ineffective incarceration to more effective community-based
alternatives that produce dramatically better outcomes for youth, their
families, and communities.
For more than four decades, YAP has supported youth and families
involved in the youth justice and child welfare systems as well as
adults in the criminal legal system. YAP has provided individuals and
their communities with proven, effective, and economical community-
based alternatives to institutional placement. YAP promotes expanding
access to these resources for families and communities as an effective
way to improve youth and family outcomes and community safety. YAP now
serves youth and families in Kansas and 32 other States and Washington
DC.
In 2014, the Kansas legislature funded a bipartisan comprehensive
review of the Kansas juvenile justice system. I was honored to have
been appointed by our Supreme Court Chief Justice to serve on this
committee. The committee collected information and invited national
experts to present data and information related to juvenile justice and
best practices. Dr. Edward Mulvey, University of Pittsburgh, and Dr.
Mark Lipsey, Vanderbilt University, travelled to Kansas to meet with us
and make presentations which are available for review at the KDOC
website.\1\
As a result of this process many modifications were implemented.
The most significant modification was the limitation on the use of
juvenile prison and elimination of the group home system in Kansas. The
Committee was convinced that these out of home placements just did not
work as Kansas was spending over $45,000 per year per child on an
ineffective placement. The committee came to the conclusion that the
out of home placement system could not be improved or salvaged and that
it would be better to close them down and redirect the money to
community-based programs that have been shown to work, such as
intensive mentoring, family therapy, mental health services, parenting
education, and substance use treatment. While Kansas closed its
facilities, we still needed to identify and redirect funding to more
effective community-based programs. YAP was one of the first programs
brought to Kansas to address the need for community-based and in home
services. Federal resources are needed now to galvanize and support
Kansas' statewide effort to plan and implement its juvenile justice
system transformation that will result in a better outcome for young
people, increased system accountability, and safer communities.
Research shows that community-based alternatives perform far better
than the youth prison model; racial and ethnic disparities and abuse of
children, including at facilities nationwide, continue to plague the
youth carceral system; and youth prisons are extremely expensive. Given
these limitations, experts and youth justice leaders--including youth
correctional administrators, judges, prosecutors, and youth advocates--
recommend the closure of failed youth prisons in favor of more
effective community-based alternatives. However, there are many youth
prisons still operating and taking up significant and precious state
resources that could be used to expand access to more effective
alternatives.
There are a range of proven and effective alternatives to youth
incarceration to support. Community mentoring programs that link young
people to trusted adults show strong results. In Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, Youth Advocates Program found that 97% of program
participants were not convicted or adjudicated of a new offense while
in the program, 85% were living safely in the community at discharge,
and 76% were regularly attending school, had graduated, or attained
their GED at discharge. The NYC Mayor's Office and Urban Institute
found that Credible Messengers' mentoring programs for youth on
probation significantly reduced recidivism for young adults on
probation by 69% after 12 months. At the 24-month mark, it was still
57% lower. These results show that evidence-based alternatives
delivered in the community significantly reduce recidivism. YAP just
completed a 2-year project in 15 jurisdictions across the Nation where
it invested private foundation funds in the local juvenile justice
systems to support expanded access to effective alternatives to youth
incarceration. 80% of the highest risk youth served were diverted from
youth prisons, and at the end of the project jurisdictions decided to
sustain these programs with their own funds because they found the
alternatives to incarceration to be more effective.
Incarceration contributes to racial disparities and poor long-term
outcomes for youth. Racial inequities in incarceration are pervasive--
Black youth are 5 times more likely and Latinx youth 3 times more
likely than their white peers to be incarcerated for similar offenses.
Excluding Indian Country, American Indians make up 3% of girls and 1.5%
of boys in juvenile facilities but less than 1% of youth nationally.
Long term outcomes for incarcerated youth include lower educational
attainment and employment; high rates of homelessness; behavioral and
emotional problems; poor physical health; and problems in forming
stable family relationships. Physical and sexual assault and extended
solitary confinement also are common. Incarceration also increases
recidivism by disconnecting youth from their families, religious and
spiritual connections, schools, and other pro-social experiences. As a
result, incarcerated youth are more likely to have entered adult prison
by age 25.
Closing youth prisons both saves money and increases public safety.
The cost of youth incarceration is astronomically high, especially
considering these poor outcomes. According to one recent study, the
average cost of the most expensive confinement option for a young
person in 48 States was $588 per day, or $214,620 per year--almost 15
times more than the U.S. spends per pupil for 1 year of K-12 public
education. A Washington State Study showed that youth detention
produced fewer benefits in reduced crime and other outcomes than many
less costly programs. Spending $1 for diversion and mentoring programs
resulted in $3.36 in benefits of reduced crime, while multisystemic
therapy, a more service intensive alternative, produced $13.36 in
benefits.
Such community-based alternatives, including mentoring programs,
evidence-based therapies, and small, rehabilitative and home-like
facilities for the very few young people who commit serious crimes cost
much less than prison and are safer for youth and staff. New York
City's investment in small, homelike facilities resulted in a 53% drop
in youth arrests and a 68% reduction in youth placement. Texas
decreased youth incarceration by 38% and further decreased youth
arrests by 49%. After California's closure of youth prisons in 2016,
youth arrests for violent crimes in the state fell to less than half
what they were in 1990. These States have demonstrated that closing
failed youth prisons and diverting kids to community-based alternatives
both save money and increase public safety.
Americans nationwide support Federal funding to incentivize States
to close failed youth prisons to capture resources to reinvest in more
effective and cost-efficient community-based alternatives. In a 2021
Youth First Initiative poll, 78 percent of adults endorsed the proposal
to provide Federal funds to support State planning and consultation
with stakeholders to close youth prisons and invest savings to expand
access to community-based alternatives and provide workforce
development services to workers from closed facilities. Additionally,
residents polled in Pennsylvania and Virginia showed that 81 percent of
Pennsylvanians and 85 percent of Virginians support a youth justice
system that focuses on prevention and rehabilitation. In both States,
more than 80 percent of respondents support providing financial
incentives for States to invest in alternatives to youth incarceration.
At a time when our Nation is debating how to reduce the negative
impacts of the justice system while increasing public safety, I urge
you to fully fund in FY23 the new $100 million initiative at OJJDP
because it would accomplish the key goals of improving outcomes,
addressing racial disparities, reducing long-term costs, and ensuring
public safety.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of these
important issues. Please do not hesitate to contact me at
[email protected] or Jenny Collier at
[email protected] if you have any questions or need
additional information.
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\1\ https://www.doc.ks.gov/juvenile-services/Workgroup/
Presentations/Lipsey.
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______
Prepared Statement of Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is pleased
to share our views on the Department of Commerce's FY 2023 budget and
has identified the following funding needs:
1. $70.5 million for Salmon Management Activities of which:
--$26.5 million supports Mitchell Act Programs to implement reforms
called for in the ``Conservation of Columbia Basin Fish'' and
the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological
Opinion, of which $6.7 million (or 25 percent of the enacted
amount) is directed to the Tribes to enhance natural stock
recovery programs.
--$43.5 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty, of which $43.5 million
is annual operations for the implementation of the 2019-2028
Agreement.
2. $100 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to
support on-the-ground salmon restoration activities.
3. $4 million for Columbia River Pinniped Management to support
implementation of the MMPA Section 120(f) permit issued by NOAA-F in
2019.
4. $80.8 million for the Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS)
program to continue the study of estuary and near-shore environment for
multiple purposes including the restoration of treaty trust aquatic
resources.
background
The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) was
founded in 1977 by the four Columbia River treaty Tribes: Confederated
Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the
Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Confederated Tribes and Bands of
the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe. CRITFC provides
coordination and technical assistance to the Tribes in regional,
national, and international efforts to protect and restore the
fisheries and fish habitat.
In 1855, the United States entered treaties with the four
Tribes\1\. The Tribes' ceded millions of acres of our homelands to the
U.S. and the U.S. pledged to honor our ancestral rights, including the
right to fish at all usual and accustomed places. Unfortunately, a long
history of hydroelectric development, habitat destruction, and over-
fishing by non-Indians brought the salmon resource to the edge of
extinction with many stocks extirpated and 12 salmon and steelhead
trout populations in the Columbia River basin listed under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Today, the treaties form the bedrock of the region's fisheries
management. The CRITFC Tribes are among the most successful fishery
managers in the country leading restoration efforts and working with
State, Federal, and private entities. CRITFC's comprehensive plan, Wy-
Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit, outlines principles and objectives designed to
halt the decline of salmon, lamprey, and sturgeon populations and
rebuild the fisheries to levels that support Tribal ceremonial,
subsistence, and economic purposes. To achieve these objectives, the
plan emphasizes strategies that rely on natural production, healthy
rivers, and collaborative efforts.
Several key regional agreements were completed in 2008. The
Columbia Basin Fish Accords set out parameters for management of the
Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) for fish passage. New
agreements in U.S. v. Oregon and the Pacific Salmon Commission
established fishery management criteria for fisheries ranging from the
Columbia River to Southeast Alaska. The U.S. v. Oregon agreement also
contains provisions for hatchery management in the Columbia River
Basin. We have successfully secured other funds to support our efforts
to implement these agreements, including funds from the Bonneville
Power Administration (BPA), the Department of Interior, and the
Southern Fund of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Continued Federal support
is needed to accomplish the management objectives embodied in the
agreements.
1. salmon management activities: $70.5 million
Columbia River (Mitchell Act) Hatchery Program.--The Mitchell Act
program was created in 1938 to mitigate for the impacts caused by the
construction and operation of the Bonneville Dam. These production fish
fuel West Coast salmon fisheries from the Oregon to Southeast Alaska,
and to the interior Columbia River basin worth millions of dollars.
Mitchell Act facilities operation and maintenance (O&M) funding has
been static for years and eroded buying power of this account results
in reduced numbers of fish produced and reduced fish health which
results in fewer fish for harvest. A modest increase of O&M budgets to
$26.7 million would help these facilities produce targeted numbers of
fish to benefit Columbia River and West Coast fisheries and assist
these Mitchell Act programs to begin integrating modern fisheries
management and incorporate the dual needs of fish production and ESA
salmon recovery opportunities.
Pacific Salmon Treaty Program.--CRITFC supports the U.S. Section
recommendation of $43.5 million for implementation of the revised
Pacific Salmon Treaty (Treaty). The Department of Commerce principally
funds programs conducted by the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
Alaska and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS.) Unfortunately,
the cost of programs conducted by the States to fulfill national
commitments created by the Treaty continue to be substantially greater
than the funding provided in the NMFS budget. Consequently, the States
have supplemented the Federal Treaty appropriations from other sources,
including State general funds. Many of those funding sources are
limited or no longer available and this has been exacerbated by the
ongoing global pandemic.
2. pacific coastal salmon recovery fund: $100 million
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) was developed in
2000 by Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and the treaty Tribes to
fulfill the unmet needs for the conservation and restoration of salmon
stocks shared in the Tribal, State, and international fisheries. Since
that time, the number of entities eligible for receiving funding has
grown.
PCSRF has funded 417 Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs, Nez Perce, and
CRITFC Tribal salmon recovery projects. These projects have contributed
greatly to the Pacific Northwest effort to avoid extinction of Columbia
Basin salmon species and their habitat. Accomplishments from CRITFC and
our member Tribes include 4,838 stream miles monitored; 417 miles of
stream made accessible to salmon; 5,060 acres of riparian area treated;
11,341 acres conserved by acquisition or lease; and 2 million salmon
fry/smolts released annually. PCSRF is vital to fulfill the region's
goal of full salmon recovery, to provide sustainability of the fishery,
and meaningful exercise of the treaty-reserved rights by the Columbia
River treaty Tribes.
The co-managers have developed an extensive matrix of performance
standards to address accountability and performance standards, which
includes the use of monitoring protocols to systematically track
current and future projects basin-wide. The PCSRF projects are based on
the best science, provide adequate monitoring, and address limiting
factors affecting salmon restoration. Projects undertaken by the Tribes
are consistent with CRITFC's salmon restoration plan and the
programmatic areas identified by Congress.
We recommend a funding level of $100 million for the PCSRF FY 2023
allocation. Long-term economic benefits can be achieved by making PCSRF
investments on-the-ground to rebuild sustainable, harvestable salmon
populations into the future.
3. columbia river pinniped management: $4 million
Columbia River Section 120 Pinniped Removal Program.--Since 2002,
sea lions in the Columbia River have significantly impacted endangered
and threatened stocks of salmon and steelhead. Sea lions also prey on
Pacific lamprey and mature sturgeon below Bonneville Dam, and on listed
salmon and steelhead runs in the Willamette River and other tributaries
to the Columbia River. Thirty-two wild salmon populations bound for the
upper Columbia and Snake rivers are vulnerable to predation by sea
lions immediately below Bonneville Dam. Other impacted ESA-listed
salmon and steelhead populations include lower Columbia River chinook,
lower Columbia River steelhead, middle Columbia River steelhead, Snake
River Basin steelhead, upper Willamette River chinook, and Upper
Willamette River steelhead. All six of these are listed as
``threatened'' under the ESA.
Despite non-lethal and limited lethal-take measures, the number of
salmon and steelhead consumed by sea lions below Bonneville Dam more
than doubled between 2006 and 2015, as larger Steller sea lions
increased in numbers and began to take a higher toll; management and
Federal authorization was initially focused exclusively on California
sea lions. To respond to this change, Congress amended the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) in December 2018 to provide State and
Tribal resource managers greater flexibility to manage sea lions. In
August 2020, the CRITFC member Tribes, along with Oregon, Idaho, and
Washington received a MMPA Section 120(f) permit from the National
Marine Fisheries Service to actively manage pinniped populations on the
lower Columbia River and its tributaries. The authority under this
permit increases the scope and scale of current management and expands
lethal removal to include Steller sea lions. It also expands the area
of potential removals and it will increase removal activity to 10 per
year. Previously, removing sea lions required a multistep process,
including branding animals and identifying repeat offenders. This new
authority has streamlined this process and, as a result, will increase
the number of trappings and lethal removals in the future. To fully
implement the program under the new permit, the States and Tribes are
requesting $4 million in Federal funds. This will supplement funds that
the States and Tribes are currently contributing.
4. integrated ocean observing systems (ioos) program: $80.8 million
Increase IOOS Funding Levels.--Study of the estuary and near-shore
environment is critical to understanding not only the impacts to treaty
trust resources, but also actions needed to restore these resources.
CRITFC has expanded its work to include the Coastal Margin Observation
and Prediction Program (CMOP) whose main funding is through the NOAA-
administered Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Program. Since
2020, we have partnered with the Northwest Association of Networked
Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) through our acquisition of the CMOP
program which has been a NANOOS-supported effort since 2004. The CMOP
infrastructure, now operated by CRITFC, has been integral to NANOOS for
decades and will remain so. The multi-institutional collaborative
structure of the IOOS regional associations ensures that the Tribes are
integrated into the governance and decision-making processes.
We strongly encourage a funding level of $69.5 million be invested
in the regional IOOS network and its partners using the funding for
Coastal, Ocean, and Great Lakes Observing Systems to refurbish aging
infrastructure, modernize equipment, and address critical issues facing
our collective communities. Expansion of IOOS capabilities in
biological monitoring is important to CRITFC's interest in improving
ocean conditions for salmon and allow regional partnerships to continue
to address Biden Administration priorities for climate change, racial
equity, and the economy.
Improve Collaboration between NOAA Programs.--OAA should aim to
create a comprehensive understanding of the Columbia River estuary and
the near shore environment and work to improve the collaboration
between these programs. CRITFC has collaborated with NOAA's Office of
Coast Survey (OSC) in numeric and hydrodynamic modelling and plan to
expand this effort to include hydrographic surveys in the confluence
areas of Zone 6 of the Columbia River mainstem, where our Tribes
primarily exercise their treaty-reserved fishing rights. This
collaboration should be expanded with funding at $11.3 million in the
Navigation, Observations and Positioning line to address issues of
floodplain restoration and flooding to improve salmon survival.
In summary, CRITFC and our four member Tribes have developed the
capacity and infrastructure to become the regional leaders in restoring
and rebuilding Columbia Basin salmon populations. Our collective
efforts protect our treaty-reserved fishing rights and provides
healthy, harvestable salmon populations for all citizens to enjoy. We
will be pleased to provide any additional information that this
subcommittee may require.
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\1\ Treaty with the Yakama Tribe, June 6, 1855, 12 Stat. 951;
Treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon, June 25, 1855, 12 Stat. 963;
Treaty with the Umatilla Tribe, June 9, 1855, 12 Stat. 945; Treaty with
the Nez Perce Tribe, June 11, 1855, 12 Stat. 9.
[This statement was submitted by Casey Mitchell, Chair]
______
Prepared Statement of Consortium of Social Science Associations
On behalf of the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA),
I offer this written testimony for inclusion in the official committee
record. For fiscal year (FY) 2023, COSSA urges the Committee to
appropriate:
--$11 billion for the National Science Foundation
--$2 billion for the Census Bureau
--$50 million for the National Institute of Justice
--$60 million for the Bureau of Justice Statistics
First, allow me to thank the Committee for its long-standing,
bipartisan support for scientific research. Strong, sustained funding
for all U.S. science agencies is essential if we are to make progress
toward improving the health and economic competitiveness of the Nation.
The need for increased investment in science has become even more
pronounced in light of the disruptions caused over the past 2 years by
the COVID-19 pandemic.
COSSA serves as a united voice for a broad, diverse network of
organizations, institutions, communities, and stakeholders who care
about a successful and vibrant social and behavioral science research
enterprise. We represent the collective interests of all STEM
disciplines engaged in the rigorous study of why and how humans behave
as they do as individuals, groups and within institutions,
organizations, and society.
Social and behavioral science research is supported across the
Federal Government, including at the National Science Foundation and
the Department of Justice. Further, Federal statistics produced by the
Census Bureau and other Federal statistical agencies provide data
needed to conduct social science research to inform policy decisions.
Taken together, Federal social and behavioral science and statistical
data help provide answers to complex, human-centered questions.
In short, knowledge derived from social and behavioral science
research has made our population healthier, our democracy fairer, our
Nation safer, and our economy stronger, and not just in times of
crisis. Without these sciences, policymaking on major national and
global issues would not be based on evidence, and billions of dollars
would be wasted.
national science foundation
COSSA joins the broader scientific community in support of $11
billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY 2023. The U.S.
scientific enterprise, including NSF, requires stability,
predictability, and sustainable funding growth, as well as Federal
policies that are patient and can tolerate a reasonable amount of risk
in order to achieve the greatest payoff.
Supporting All of STEM
NSF is the only U.S. Federal agency tasked with supporting basic
research across all fields of science. NSF supports about a quarter of
all federally funded basic scientific research conducted at colleges
and universities nationwide and serves as the largest single funder of
university-based basic social and behavioral science research. Though
NSF's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE)-one
of eight research directorates at NSF-represents less than five percent
of the entire NSF research budget, it supports around two-thirds of
total Federal funding for academic basic research in the social and
behavioral sciences (excluding psychology). As the primary funding
source for the majority of our disciplines, stagnant or reduced funding
for SBE has an outsized impact on the social and behavioral science
community. As increased investment is made in NSF, we are hopeful the
social, behavioral and economic sciences will see commensurate
investments.
Further, while by far the smallest of the research directorates,
SBE's impact is huge. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering
and Medicine stated in its 2017 consensus report, The Value of Social,
Behavioral, and Economic Sciences to National Priorities \1\, that
``nearly every major challenge the United States faces-from alleviating
unemployment to protecting itself from terrorism-requires understanding
the causes and consequences of people's behavior. Even societal
challenges that at first glance appear to be issues only of medicine or
engineering or computer science have social and behavioral
components.'' We all observed first-hand the importance of
understanding behavioral and social systems over the last 2 years as
the world collectively worked to gain control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From mask mandates to vaccine hesitancy, the social and behavioral
sciences have been shining light on this uniquely human challenge and
informing policy solutions at all levels.
Keeping NSF Competitive
As we speak, a conference committee is considering sweeping
innovation legislation (the America COMPETES Act) that contains
reauthorization provisions for NSF and seeks to push the agency into
new frontiers in technology transfer and convergence research. As the
committee knows, NSF has already started moving in this direction with
the establishment of the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships
Directorate (TIP) in FY 2022. COSSA hopes that future support for and
investment in TIP and related activities is also met with a commitment
to maintaining the NSF's defining characteristic, which is to be the
incubator for basic scientific discovery across all areas of science.
NSF's investigator-initiated, discovery-driven identity is what makes
it special and has kept the American science enterprise at the leading
edge of innovation. We look forward to seeing how social and behavioral
science will be incorporated into the work of the new TIP directorate
in addition to ongoing support for social science across the
foundation.
census bureau, u.s. department of commerce
COSSA requests that the Committee appropriate $2 billion for the
Census Bureau in FY 2023. Social scientists across the country rely on
the Census Bureau for accurate, timely, objective, and relevant data to
better understand the U.S. population and to produce findings that help
us shape policies that better serve the American people.
After a decade in which the Census Bureau received inconsistent and
delayed funding, had to curtail essential research and testing of
operations, and experienced significant pandemic-related disruptions,
investments are needed to not only help the agency recover, but to also
help it improve the collection and delivery of official statistics for
the Nation. A modest increase in funding in FY 2023 could help the
Census Bureau recover from years of postponed enhancements, sustain and
strengthen its mission, and pursue numerous necessary operational
innovations.
In addition, COSSA calls on Congress to fully fund the American
Community Survey (ACS) and maintain its status as a mandatory Federal
survey. The ACS is the only source of comparable, consistent, timely,
and high-quality demographic and socio-economic data for all
communities in the U.S. As a component of the Decennial Census, the ACS
is a ``mandatory'' national survey. The Census Bureau needs additional
funds to expand the ACS sample size (which has not been expanded since
2011) to produce more timely, granular data for a significant number of
geographies and sub-populations than currently achievable. This would
provide communities more timely data to fill in any gaps in the 2020
Decennial Census results caused by the pandemic.
national institute of justice, u.s. department of justice
COSSA requests that the Committee appropriate at least $50 million
for the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) within the U.S. Department
of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP). NIJ provides
funding for research, development, and evaluation projects at
institutions across the country to shed light on the most pressing
issues facing our Nation's criminal justice system today, including the
drivers of domestic radicalization, responses to the opioid epidemic,
improving school safety, advancing forensic science, and fostering
positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they
serve-not to mention our urgent need to better understand and respond
to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incarcerated population
and on our court systems.
We recognize that tough funding tradeoffs must be made each year;
however, we were disappointed to see the 19 percent cut to NIJ in the
final FY 2022 appropriations bill. Despite our growing need for
objective, science-backed solutions, over the past decade, NIJ's
purchasing power has dropped by 40 percent due to the combined effect
of declining appropriations and inflation. Compounding this pressure
are Congressionally mandated directives for specific activities, nearly
always without the inclusion of additional funding to the agency's
bottom line. As a result, 60 percent of NIJ's FY 2022 appropriation
will be directed to Congressionally requested research, not including a
number of additional projects requested without a specifically
allocated funding level. An increase to the NIJ base budget would give
the agency the flexibility to direct funding to the most pressing and
promising areas of science across all domains of justice research,
while still being responsive to topics of Congressional concern.
bureau of justice statistics, u.s. department of justice
Similarly, we were disappointed by the 11 percent cut to the Burau
of Justice Statistics in the FY 2022 appropriations bill. As the
Department's principal statistical agency, the Bureau of Justice
Statistics produces high-quality data on all aspects of the United
States criminal justice system, including corrections, courts, crime
type, law enforcement personnel and expenditures, Federal processing of
criminal cases, Indian country justice statistics, and victims of
crime. COSSA urges the Committee to appropriate at least $60 million
for the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Steady declines in funding have resulted in antiquated systems and,
especially, staffing shortfalls, which can only be resolved by
sustained investment. Despite a growing demand from policymakers,
researchers, and other stakeholders for high-quality criminal justice
data across an expanding array of variables, BJS' purchasing power has
dropped by nearly one-third (32.7 percent) since FY 2012 due to the
combined effect of declining appropriations and inflation. Additional
funding would allow the agency to modernize its data collection and
dissemination systems, hire the necessary experts, and to begin to
develop the next generation of statistical products to keep pace with
the ever-changing criminal justice environment.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer this statement. Please do
not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24790/the-value-of-social-
behavioral-and-economic-sciences-to-national-priorities.
[This statement was submitted by Wendy A. Naus, Executive Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Daughters of Penelope
Chair Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member Jerry Moran, and distinguished
members of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations
subcommittee, the Daughters of Penelope (DOP), an international service
organization for women of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, which is
dedicated, in part, to supporting victims of domestic violence, is
requesting meaningful support for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) (Office
of Justice Programs--OVC) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) (Office
of Violence Against Women--OVW) programs at the Department of Justice.
We thank Congress for passing the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime
Victims Fund Act of 2021, which will stabilize the Crime Victims Fund.
To continue funding the essential and lifesaving services to crime
victims, Congress must provide a Crime Victims Fund cap for FY2023 that
is set at $2.65 billion; and as the President's FY2023 budget
rightfully proposes, without any transfers to programs not authorized
under the VOCA statute. Moreover, we also are grateful to Congress for
passing a strong bipartisan-backed reauthorization of VAWA through
2027. Now, it must be properly funded. Therefore, we support-at a
minimum-the President's strong proposed investment FY23 request of $1
billion for VAWA programs.
voca programs & crime victims fund
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) created the Crime Victims Fund
(CVF), which serves as a mechanism to fund compensation and services
for the Nation's victims of Federal crime. The Fund is comprised of
money from criminals, and by law, the Fund is dedicated solely to
victim services. For example, the Fund is used to help pay for state
victim compensation and assistance programs and grants to victim
service providers. A considerable amount supports victims' out-of-
pocket expenses such as medical and counseling fees, lost wages, and
funeral and burial costs. In FY2019, 6.5 million victims of violent
crime, including domestic violence, received services through Victim
Assistance programs, according to the Department of Justice.\1\ The
Fund provides formula grants to over 11,000 local victim assistance
programs.\2\ These agencies provided services to nearly millions of
victims of crime, including victims of murder, assault and sexual
assault, domestic violence, child abuse, stalking and elder abuse, and
others.
The Crime Victims Fund is financed by fines, forfeitures, or other
penalties paid by Federal crime offenders. Therefore, the Crime Victims
Fund is not funded by taxpayer dollars. However, it is unfortunate
Congress often carves out funds from the CVF to use as offsets for
other government programs. Because CVF is comprised of non-taxpayer
dollars, it should not be considered available for use for non-VOCA
programs in the Federal budget. Moreover, as the former Congressional
Victims' Rights Caucus would advocate, ``not only does raiding the
Crime Victims Fund violate the intent of the law, but it violates the
[VOCA] statute itself . . . '' Therefore, we recommend to the
subcommittee that the Fund be used only for programs authorized under
the VOCA statute. However, recent appropriations bills passed by
Congress, and previous administrations' budget requests, have carved
out funds from the Crime Victims Fund for non-VOCA authorized programs.
As example, in FY2022, Congress transferred $575 million from the CVF
to VAWA programs, the highest level. We applaud the President's budget
for rightfully eliminating transfer, and we request the elimination of
transfers that harm the Fund's long-term viability and ability to
commit fully to crime victims.
Finally, we recommend setting the Crime Victims' Fund cap to at
least $2.65 billion. Congress established an appropriation cap on funds
available for distribution intended to maintain the CVF as a stable
source of support for future victim services. At the cap level,
Congress will not only ensure the continuation of enhanced services to
victims to meet their needs, but it also does not contribute or add to
the National debt or deficit because these are non-taxpayer funds.
vawa programs
Domestic violence is a pervasive, life-threatening crime affecting
millions of individuals across our Nation regardless of age, gender,
socio-economic status, race or religion. The statistics are alarming.
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)\3\:
--More than 1 in 3 women have experienced rape, physical violence,
and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
--Approximately 8 million women are raped, physically assaulted, and/
or stalked by a current or former intimate partner each year.
--1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have experienced rape in her or his
lifetime.
--Nationwide, an average of 3 women are killed by a current or former
intimate partner every day.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)
2015 Data Brief:
--In the United States, intimate partner contact sexual violence,
physical violence, and/or stalking was experienced by 36.4% (or
43.6 million) of U.S. women during their lifetime.\4\
--One in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced physical violence by
an intimate partner during their lifetime.\5\
Also, of concern, are the following stats:
--On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an
intimate partner in the United States. During 1 year, this
equates to more than 10 million women and men.\6\
--Nationwide, an average of 3 women are killed by a current or former
intimate partner every day.\7\
--Approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic
violence annually.\8\
Our nation's response to intimate partner and domestic violence is
driven by VAWA programs. Each of these programs is critical to ensuring
that victims are safe, that offenders are held accountable, and that
our communities are more secure. Thanks to VAWA, steady progress has
been made there are many victims who still suffer in silence. A 2021
24-hour survey of domestic violence programs across the U.S. found that
although 20,701 Hotline calls were received (averaging more than 14
calls every minute). However, 9,444 requests for services (such as
emergency shelter, transportation, or legal representation) went unmet
because programs lacked the resources to provide them.\9\ Sixty-four
percent of the unmet services were for Housing and Emergency Shelter.
In total, 70,032 victims were served in one day. The unconscionable gap
between need and resources only widens.
daughters of penelope's work to support domestic violence shelters
Why are VAWA and VOCA programs important to the Daughters of
Penelope? In addition to our chapters supporting domestic violence
shelters in their respective local communities, the Daughters of
Penelope is a national sponsor and stakeholder of two domestic violence
shelters-Penelope House in Mobile, Alabama, and Penelope's Place in
Brockton, Massachusetts. In the past, the Daughters of Penelope has
supported WIN Hellas, which is an NGO based in Athens, Greece, that is
active in the prevention of violence against women.
Penelope House was the first shelter established in Alabama when it
opened its doors in 1979. Since then, Penelope House is recognized as a
model shelter for others to emulate. VAWA and VOCA grant funding has
been critical in helping Penelope House to meet its mission of
providing safety, protection, and support to victims of domestic
violence and their children through shelter, advocacy, and individual
and community education. Penelope House has been awarded VAWA and VOCA
grants from the following programs: Shelter Services, Court Advocate
Program, and Transitional Living Program. Portions of these grants help
to fund the case managers, case and court advocates, and children's
counselors and program coordinators, among other employees who help to
provide the life-saving support to domestic violence victims and their
children.
statistics--effectiveness and importance of vawa & voca grant funding
--Historically, VOCA/VAWA grant funding more than 25% of Penelope
House's budget.
Penelope House's Court Advocacy Program is funded by VOCA & VAWA.
Its 2021 stats, which were all increases, yet still impacted by the
coronavirus pandemic, for clients served were:
--Adult Clients: 8,251
--Children: 7,080
--Court Appointments with Clients: 6.761
--Clients Assisted to obtain protection from abuse or no contact
orders: 1,358
VOCA supports the salaries and benefits for seven Court/Victim
Advocates who provide services to victims of domestic violence
throughout Mobile, Washington, Clarke, and Choctaw Counties of Alabama
as they navigate within the court system. (VOCA grant funding has
become increasingly important to Penelope House because its services
were expanded to include more counties in Alabama.)
VAWA supports a full-time Court Advocate Administrative Assistant
and a portion of the salary for a Court/Victim Advocate for the Court
Advocacy Program. The Court Advocate Administrative Assistant provides
administrative support to Court/Victim Advocates and assistance to the
Court Advocacy Supervisor. The assistant also collects and complies
program data needed for the evaluation of the Court Advocacy Program.
The Court Advocate Administrative Assistant is dually trained to serve
as a Court/Victim Advocate when necessary, in case of illness or any
other absence of court advocates. Thus, a victim will not have to be
alone as he/she attempts to navigate within the court system.
Penelope House's Emergency Shelter Program is funded by VOCA. It's
2021 service stats-again impacted due to the pandemic-were:
--Adults sheltered: 233
--Children sheltered: 252
--Total Client Service Hours: 4,226.24
--Total Nights of shelter provided: 5,989
--Crisis calls: 1,573
--Meals Served: 15,824
recommendation
The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) is requesting support for Victims
of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) programs,
which are vital to DOP programs that serve its mission. Specifically,
we request a Crime Victims Fund cap for fiscal year 2023 to be set at
least at $2.65 billion and without any transfers to programs not
authorized under the VOCA statute, as rightfully proposed by the
President's FY23 budget. The Fund is not funded by taxpayer dollars.
Therefore, the cap can be sustained or raised without adding to the
National debt or deficit. We also support the Biden administration's
strong investment request of $1 billion for VAWA programs, at a
minimum.
Clearly, as the missions of domestic violence centers across the
country, such as Penelope House, have expanded into jurisdictions due
to the unfortunate increased need to provide victims' services, the
viability of VOCA and VAWA grants have become increasingly important to
meet the victims' needs.
Thank you for the opportunity to present and submit our written
testimony before the subcommittee.
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\1\ https://www.justice.gov/doj/page/file/1249306/download, Page
17.
\2\ https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1489521/download, Page
144.
\3\ NNEDV Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, accessed https://nnedv.org/
wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Library_General_DV_SA_Factsheet.pdf.
\4\ https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2015data-
brief508.pdf.
\5\ https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/
fastfact.html f.
\6\ https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-
a.pdf.
\7\ NNEDV Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, https://nnedv.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/07/DVSA-Fact-Sheet-July-2020.pdf.
\8\ Ibid.
\9\ 16th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report, accessed https://
nnedv.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/16th-Annual-Domestic-Violence-
Counts-National-Summary-FINAL.pdf.
[This statement was submitted by Kathy Bizoukas, National
President]
______
Prepared Statement of Demand Progress
Dear Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on improving
transparency and accountability at the Department of Justice (DOJ). My
name is Daniel Schuman and I serve as Policy Director at Demand
Progress. We urge you to ensure congressional and public access to
legal opinions rendered by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) at the
Justice Department that are afforded the force of law.
Before I begin, please allow me to thank you for including language
in the FY 2022 and FY 2021 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations
Committee Joint Explanatory Statement concerning OLC opinions. We urge
you to further strengthen that language.
background
OLC's core function, according to an OLC memoranda, is to provide
``controlling advice to Executive Branch officials on questions of law
that are centrally important to the functioning of the Federal
Government.'' \1\ This legal advice ``may effectively be the final word
on the controlling law,'' yet it is routinely withheld from both
Congress and the public.\2\ This withholding in effect creates secret
law that controls agency actions but is shielded from both public
debate and Congressional oversight.
Secrecy undermines accountability. Congress must understand how the
Executive branch interprets the Constitution and implements laws
enacted by Congress. Allowing legal opinions that are accorded
precedential value and the force of law to remain the sole province of
the Executive branch thwarts Congress's lawmaking and oversight
prerogatives. It removes consequences for agency decisions and short-
circuits the public feedback process integral to a functioning
democracy.
Secrecy also poisons the operations of the Office of Legal Counsel.
Public scrutiny would create persistent pressure for the promulgation
of responsible, high quality, objective legal opinions. By contrast,
OLC legal opinion secrecy ensures the most salient incentive for OLC
attorneys is to lean towards a legal opinion that a given
administration desires--not the legal opinion that best reflects the
law. There are high profile examples of this happening.\3\ In some
instances, the OLC ultimately withdrew its own legal opinions when they
came to light; in at least one instance, the OLC secretly concluded
explicit statutory language was unconstitutional and, therefore,
inapplicable to the Executive branch.\4\ Building transparency into the
process helps ensure that OLC legal analyses face scrutiny by Congress,
scholars, and members of the public.
In December 2004, 19 former senior DOJ officials--including the
now-Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel,
Christopher Schroeder--endorsed a document calling for increased
transparency, entitled Principles to Guide the Office of Legal
Counsel.\5\ One principle was that ``OLC should publicly disclose its
written legal opinions in a timely manner, absent strong reasons for
delay or nondisclosure.'' \6\ According to the Principles document,
public disclosure of written legal opinions is important because:
Such disclosure helps to ensure executive branch adherence to the
rule of law and guard against excessive claims of executive
authority. Transparency also promotes confidence in the
lawfulness of governmental action. Making executive branch law
available to the public also adds an important voice to the
development of constitutional meaning--in the courts as well as
among academics, other commentators, and the public more
generally--and a particularly valuable perspective on legal
issues regarding which the executive branch possesses relevant
expertise.\7\
A similar statement on the Office of Legal Counsel and the rule of
law was released in October 2020, with significant contributions from a
comparable array of legal experts.\8\ It endorsed publication of and
transparency for OLC opinions. Specifically, the statement endorsed: a
strong presumption in favor of publishing final OLC opinions;
disclosing OLC advice deemed classified, privileged, or sensitive to
congressional committees when an agency relies upon that advice to
justify a major policy decision or executive action; and releasing a
public index of its memoranda. ``OLC exercises a form of public trust,
and because its views of the law's meaning shape executive action and
policy, Congress and the public both have compelling interests in
understanding the legal basis of executive action.''
Transparency strengthens our constitutional order. It helps ensure
that the checks and balances between the Legislative and Executive
branches function as the framers intended. Congress must have
visibility into how the Executive branch interprets the Constitution
and implements laws enacted by Congress.\9\ The OLC must be
incentivized to render legal opinions that apply the law without fear
or favor.
We note that OLC legal opinions are rendered both as ``formal
opinions'' and ``informal advice.'' Both constitute legal advice that
is binding within the Executive branch, follow a formal approval
process, have precedential value within OLC, and are tracked in an OLC
database. The major distinction is only the format in which the advice
is rendered: a ``formal opinion'' is turned into a carefully formatted,
written document and some are published online, whereas ``informal
advice'' may be rendered as an email or in verbal form, which is then
reduced to a memo for the record. Accordingly, we would apply the
principle of transparency articulated in the Principles document to
disclosure of OLC legal opinions regardless of format.
We are aware of some limited disclosure provisions within the 2010
Office of Legal Counsel Memorandum for Attorneys of the Office: Best
Practices for OLC Legal Advice and Written Opinions.\10\ However, the
last dozen years have demonstrated that this memorandum does not go far
enough to protect the integrity of OLC legal opinions or confidence in
the work of OLC attorneys. Indeed, the 2020 statement by legal experts
declares ``OLC itself has been in crisis for some time.'' The process
outlined in section III of the 2010 Memorandum, under a heading
entitled Opinion Publication and Other Public Disclosure, is exactly
the wrong approach. It describes a system that creates a presumption
that OLC opinions will be withheld unless an arduous process is
followed, with multiple consultations and veto points, and no end date.
It requires that the publication committee affirmatively decide to
publish an opinion.
recommendations
Our request is twofold. First, we ask you to direct the Office of
Legal Counsel to make its opinions publicly available upon issuance,
except in narrow circumstances. The default for the government should
be openness.\11\ Second, we request you direct the Office of Legal
Counsel to release an index of all current OLC opinions and to update
that index on a regular basis.
The default rule must be that OLC legal opinions will be made
publicly available contemporarily with their issuance. While there
necessarily will be exceptions to disclosure, those exceptions should
be narrow, constrained, and used only when necessary. Only Congress can
guarantee this will happen. The FOIA is a powerful remedy, but it is
slow, limited, and evaded by the Executive branch. The language
included in the Joint Explanatory Statements accompanying the FY 2021
and FY 2022 Appropriations bills has thus far been unavailing on OLC
opinion transparency.\12\
To address disclosure exceptions, Congress should direct the OLC to
publicly release and maintain an index of all its opinions. OLC should
publish the name of the opinion; the date it was finalized or revised;
the author's name (i.e., the person who signed it); each recipient's
name; identify whether the opinion has been withdrawn; and other
salient information. Congress and the public should know how many OLC
legal opinions exist. It is astonishing that there has yet to be a full
accounting of the opinions.\13\
There is precedent for an index. The FOIA Improvement Act, enacted
in 2016, established a 25-year limit for the Executive branch to assert
deliberative process privilege as an exemption to a FOIA request.\14\ A
recent lawsuit brought by the Knight First Amendment Center, Francis v.
DOJ, resulted in an agreement whereby the DOJ is producing indexes of
OLC opinions more than 25 years old.\15\ Similarly, the 2020 statement
by legal experts endorsed indices.
We urge that you adopt more vigorous language concerning the Office
of Legal Counsel contained in the report (H. Rept. 117-97) that
accompanied the House Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for FY 2022. It would fully address the issues
raised above and limit the Justice Department's ability to evade
Congress's directive to make OLC opinions publicly available.
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Department of Justice, Memorandum for Attorneys of the Office
re: Best Practices for OLC Advice and Written Opinions, July 16, 2010,
available at: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/olc/legacy/
2010/08/26/olc-legal-advice-opinions.pdf.
\2\ Id.
\3\ See, for example, a Statement by Sen. Patrick Leahy at a
February 26, 2010 hearing before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
entitled The Office of Professional Responsibility Investigation into
the Office of Legal Counsel Memoranda, in which he said, ``The
fundamental question here is not whether these were shoddy legal memos.
They were shoddy legal memos. Everybody knows that.... It failed to
cite significant case law; it twisted the plain meaning of statutes.
The legal memoranda were designed to achieve an end.'' (emphasis
added). See also a letter from select members of the Senate Committee
on the Judiciary to Attorney General Garland urging the Department of
Justice to not appeal D.C. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson's May 3,
2021 decision ordering the release of an OLC memorandum (May 14, 2021),
available at https://www.durbin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2021-05-
14%20Letter%20to%20AG%20Garland.pdf. ``Given the gravity of the
misconduct underlying OLC's March 2019 memo and DOJ's apparent
misrepresentations when attempting to conceal the memo from the public
. . . .''
\4\ ``Report on the President's Surveillance Program,'' by the
Offices of the Inspectors General of the Department of Defense, the
Department of Justice, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National
Security Agency, and the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence (July 10, 2009), at 14, available at https://
oig.justice.gov/reports/2015/PSP-09-18-15-full.pdf.
\5\ ``Principles to Guide the Office of Legal Counsel'' (Dec. 21,
2004), available at: https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/
viewcontent.cgi?article=2927&context=faculty_scholarship.
\6\ Id.
\7\ Id. (emphasis added).
\8\ ``The Office of Legal Counsel and the Rule of Law,'' American
Constitution Society (October 2020), available at: https://
www.acslaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/OLC-ROL-Doc-103020.
pdf.
\9\ For example: the Department of Justice issued a secret Office
of Legal Counsel opinion at the request of the Executive branch that
authorized Executive branch employees to engage in torture. The opinion
was unfounded and withdrawn when it came to light. Nevertheless, the
DOJ would not prosecute the officials who obtained the advice because
they were acting in conformity with an OLC opinion and the DOJ as a
policy declines to prosecute those who follow its advice. This kind of
circular reasoning undermines the rule of law. See ``Statement of the
Attorney General Regarding Investigation into the Interrogation of
Certain Detainees,'' Office of Public Affairs (June 30, 2011) ``I made
clear at that time that the Department would not prosecute anyone who
acted in good faith and within the scope of the legal guidance given by
the Office of Legal Counsel regarding the interrogation of detainees.''
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-regarding-
investigation-interrogation-certain-detainees.
\10\ See ``Best Practices for OLC Legal Advice and Written
Opinions,'' Office of Legal Counsel (July 2010), available at https://
www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/olc/legacy/2010/08/26/olc-legal-
advice-opinions.pdf
\11\ See ``Freedom of Information Act, Memorandum for the Heads of
Executive Departments and Agencies,'' The White House (January 21,
2009), available at https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-
office/freedom-information-act; ``Freedom of Information Act
Guidelines,'' Office of the Attorney General (March 15, 2022),
available at https://www.justice.gov/ag/page/file/1483516/download.
\12\ While the report language included by the CJS Appropriations
subcommittee in the House of Representatives addressed these issues
squarely, the superseding Joint Explanatory Statement language on OLC
opinions provides wiggle room and defers to the DOJ. See Report,
Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill,
2021, H. Rpt. 116-455, p. 59, https://www.congress.gov/116/crpt/
hrpt455/CRPT-116hrpt455.pdf, superseded by Joint Explanatory Statement,
p. 61, https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20201221/BILLS-116RCP68-
JES-DIVISION-B.pdf; see Report, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related
Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2020, H. Rpt. 116-101, pp. 45-46, https:/
/www.congress.gov/116/crpt/hrpt101/CRPT-116hrpt101.pdf, superseded by
Joint Explanatory Statement, p. 30, https://appropriations.house.gov/
sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/HR%201158%20-
%20Division%20B%20-%20CJS%20SOM%20FY20.pdf.
\13\ Congress has previously considered legislation on OLC
opinions. For example, the Senate Judiciary Committee favorably
reported the OLC Reporting Act of 2008 (S. 3501, 110th Congress). We
note the introduction in the 117th Congress of the DOJ OLC Transparency
Act (S. 3858) and the SUNLIGHT Act of 2022 (H.R. 7619).
\14\ Public Law 114-185 (114th Congress). https://www.congress.gov/
bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/337.
\15\ The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University is
publishing the index on its website. https://knightcolumbia.org/
reading-room/olc-opinions.
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______
Prepared Statement of Entomological Society of America
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) respectfully submits
this statement for the official record in support of funding for the
National Science Foundation (NSF). ESA joins the research community by
requesting a robust fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriation of $11 billion
for NSF, including strong support for the Directorate for Biological
Sciences (BIO). Through activities within BIO, NSF advances the
frontiers of knowledge about complex biological systems at multiple
scales, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems. In
addition, the Directorate contributes to the support of essential
research resources, including biological collections and field
stations. NSF BIO is also the Nation's primary funder of fundamental
research on biodiversity, ecology, and environmental biology.
NSF is the only Federal agency that supports basic research across
all scientific and engineering disciplines, outside of the medical
sciences. Each year, the Foundation supports an estimated 300,000
researchers, scientific trainees, teachers, and students, primarily
through competitive grants to approximately 2,000 colleges,
universities, and other institutions in all 50 States. NSF also plays a
critical role in training the next generation of scientists and
engineers through programs like the Graduate Research Fellowship
Program (GRFP), ensuring that the United States will remain globally
competitive in the future.
NSF-sponsored research in entomology and other basic biological
sciences, primarily supported through NSF BIO, provides the fundamental
discoveries that advance knowledge and facilitate the development of
new technologies and strategies for addressing societal challenges
related to economic growth, national security, and human health.
Because insects constitute two out of every three species, fundamental
research on their biology has provided foundational insights across all
areas of biology, including cell and molecular biology, genomics,
physiology, ecology, behavior, and evolution. In turn, these insights
have been applied toward challenges in a wide range of fields,
including conservation biology, habitat management, livestock
production, and pest management.
Insects have long played an essential role as model organisms for
understanding basic biological processes across all organisms and as
sentinel species to give indications of potential environmental risks
to human populations. For example, insect behavior patterns can be an
indicator of climatic and environmental conditions, as many species and
populations are forced to migrate or adapt due to the impacts of
climate change. One area of NSF-supported research worthy of continued
support is advancing our knowledge of the impact of environmental
changes on important pollinators, including bumblebees. Better
understanding how various factors, including those induced by climate
change, impact bumblebee feeding behavior can help advance innovative
methods to protect these insects and the agricultural economies that
rely heavily on them for pollination.\1\ One recent study funded by the
Systematics and Biodiversity Science cluster within BIO observed
changes in the feeding behavior of bumblebees in response to changes in
both the microbial and sugar content of nectar due to increases in
temperature. This study, in conjunction with other ongoing research in
this complex area, could have significant implications for the
agricultural industry as it seeks to adapt to the impacts of climate
change.\2\
NSF also supports the development of technologies and methods that
directly impact economic sectors that are highly dependent on
entomology. For example, recent GRFP recipients have explored
innovative approaches to managing pest-induced agricultural damage to
commodity crops and insects' behavioral responses to external stimuli,
with significant economic and human health implications. A recent study
led by an NSF GRFP recipient investigated the effectiveness of post-
harvest cold storage in spotted-wing drosophila control. Spotted-wing
drosophila is a uniquely devastating pest of small fruits like
blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries owing to its ability to lay
eggs in ripening fruit. The estimated revenue losses of wild
blueberries due to spotted wing drosophila to amount to nearly $7
million in the State of Maine alone.\3\ The study found that storing
fruit at or near freezing temperatures for 3-5 days resulted in
decreased pest survival. After accounting for slight daily cost
depreciation from holding the crop and the initial investment of
purchasing a cold storage system, farmers could realize individual net
profits of $88,000 to $483,000 over 20 years by utilizing these post-
harvest cold storage protocols.\4\ This practice also has the potential
to reduce the need for pesticides and could prevent unintentional
spread of the pest through shipment and trade.
Another study led by a GRFP recipient sought to determine whether
certain compounds on the outer surface of German cockroaches play a
role in shelter choice and aggregation. These insects are an abundant
household and commercial pest globally, accounting for 15 percent of
pest control industry sales across the U.S. and 40 percent of insect-
related household and structural damage in some States.\5\ Beyond these
economic impacts, German cockroaches also pose health risks as both an
asthma-causing allergen and a potential route of transmission for
bacteria and other pathogens. Determining how cockroaches choose where
to shelter could inform innovative control strategies. The study
demonstrated that one candidate category of compounds, cuticular
hydrocarbons, were not effective in causing the cockroaches to
aggregate.\6\ The chemical cues important for inducing aggregation in
German cockroaches remain unresolved, presenting an important challenge
in urban pest biology and control that requires continued support from
Federal research programs to promote health, well-being, and scientific
understanding.
In addition to funding research, NSF BIO plays a critical role in
the curation, maintenance, and enhancement of physical-biological
collections. These collections and their associated data sets serve a
variety of purposes, and while they are particularly important to the
field of entomology, their value to the broader scientific enterprise
cannot be overstated. Physical collections enable the rapid
identification and mitigation of costly invasive pests that affect
agriculture, forestry, and human and animal health. This is only
achievable because such collections are continuously being updated to
reflect environmental changes, evolutionary developments, and shifting
migratory patterns of invasive species around the world. Furthermore,
new and emerging technologies enable scientists to gain novel insights
from physical historic samples in an ongoing manner.
While collections-focused awards are encouraging, ESA is concerned
by the inconsistent Federal support for biological collections. Recent
advancements in imaging, digitization, and data collection and storage
technologies have caused some to question the necessity of continued
support for existing biological collections. ESA recognizes that
technological development is spurring substantive discussion about the
future of biological collections. However, while these new developments
and advancements will hopefully yield new benefits for biological
research, they are not a replacement for physical biological
collections. Furthermore, new and emerging technologies enable
scientists to gain novel insights from physical historic samples in
previously unanticipated way. Given their continuing relevance and
broad application to domestic homeland security, public health,
agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability, ESA
firmly supports continued Federal investment in programs supporting
collections such as NSF's Infrastructure Capacity for Biological
Research.
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, ESA supports an
overall FY 2023 NSF budget of $11 billion. ESA requests robust support
for the NSF BIO Directorate, which funds important research studies and
biological collections, enabling discoveries in the entomological
sciences to contribute to understanding environmental and evolutionary
biology, physiological and developmental systems, and molecular and
cellular mechanisms.
ESA, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, is the largest
organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs
of entomologists and individuals in related disciplines. As the largest
and one of the oldest insect science organizations in the world, ESA
has over 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health
agencies, private industry, and government. Members are researchers,
teachers, extension service personnel, administrators, marketing
representatives, research technicians, consultants, students, pest
management professionals, and hobbyists.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer the Entomological Society of
America's support for NSF research programs. For more information about
the Entomological Society of America, please see http://
www.entsoc.org/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Main, Douglas. Bumblebees Are Going Extinct in a Time of
`Climate Chaos'. Animals, National Geographic, 4 May 2021, https://
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/bumblebees-going-extinct-
climate-change-pesticides.
\2\ Russell, Kaleigh A., and Quinn S. McFrederick. Elevated
Temperature May Affect Nectar Microbes, Nectar Sugars, and Bumble Bee
Foraging Preference--Microbial Ecology. SpringerLink, Springer US, 1
Oct. 2021, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00248-021-01881-
x.
\3\ Yeh, D. Adeline, Drummond, Francis A., Gomez, Miguel I., and
Fan, Xiaoli. The Economic Impacts and Management of Spotted Wing
Drosophila (Drosophila Suzukii): The Case of Wild Blueberries in Maine.
Journal of Economic Entomology, 6 Jun. 2020, https://
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31943106/.
\4\ Kraft, L.J. et al. Determining the effect of postharvest cold
storage treatment on the survival of immature Drosophila suzukii
(Diptera: Drosophilidae) in small fruits. Journal of Economic
Entomology, 11 Sept. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa185.
\5\ Lee, C.Y. and Wang, C. German cockroach infestations in the
world and their social and economic impacts. In: Biology and Management
of the German Cockroach, 2021, eds: Wang C, Lee CY, and Rust MK.
\6\ Hamilton, J.A., Wada-Katsumata, A., and Schal, C. Role of
cuticular hydrocarbons in German cockroach (Blattodea: Ectobiidae)
aggregation behavior. Environmental Entomology, 28 Apr. 2019, https://
doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz044.
[This statement was submitted by Jessica Ware, PhD, President]
______
Prepared Statement of Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony for the
record in support of programs under the subcommittee's jurisdiction at
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that support
climate change mitigation and adaptation. The Environmental and Energy
Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 on
a bipartisan basis by members of Congress to help educate and inform
policymakers, their staff, stakeholders, and the American public about
the benefits of a low-emissions economy that prioritizes energy
efficiency, renewable energy, and new clean energy technologies. In
1988, EESI declared that addressing climate change is a moral
imperative, and that has since guided our work.
Climate adaptation and resilience work should complement and, when
possible, contribute to a decarbonized, clean energy economy. From
droughts to wildfires and hurricanes to extreme heat, different
regions, States, and communities will experience different climate
change-related threats. Communities need locally-tailored, accessible,
and actionable data and support to make informed decisions to reduce
their climate risks and safeguard the ecosystems on which they depend.
This testimony is informed by EESI's report, A Resilient Future for
Coastal Communities: Federal Policy Recommendations from Solutions to
Practice.\1\ This report is based on EESI's 16-part Congressional
briefing series that featured 42 coastal resilience experts discussing
federal, State, and local programs and policies conducting effective
climate adaptation to coastal hazards. The testimony is also informed
by EESI's 2021 article series on Federal resilience programs.\2\ This
nine-part series reviews program background information, the program
connection to adaptation and resilience, an example of the program in
action, and results of the program for six NOAA programs.\3\
national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa)
climate-related programs
EESI supports the Biden-Harris Administration's budget, which would
provide $6.9 billion for NOAA in fiscal year 2023. This would represent
a $800 million increase from the 2022 enacted level of $6.1 billion.
The budget also calls for $376 million specifically for climate
resilience. NOAA plays a critical role in climate resilience work, in
conjunction with other Federal agencies, and this amount of funding
should be seen as a floor, not a ceiling, for what is needed to support
U.S. communities as they adapt to the impacts of climate change.
EESI's Congressional briefing on March 18, 2022, Climate Adaptation
Programs Across Agencies,\4\ outlined NOAA's role in advancing
adaptation and resilience work. Key NOAA tools highlighted in the
briefing include Climate.gov, Drought.gov, Atlas 14, and the Digital
Coast Sea Level Rise Viewer. These critical tools require funding to
ensure they are up-to-date and accessible to people who want to apply
the information to their work.
The 2020s must be the decade where significant strides are made on
climate adaptation and resilience planning, data, project
implementation, and evaluation. All these efforts must be scaled up to
meet the magnitude of the challenge we face. This is only possible with
adequate, sustainable funding from Congress in support of this work.
Thank you for your consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A Resilient Future for Coastal Communities: Federal Policy
Recommendations from Solutions to Practice: https://www.eesi.org/
papers/view/a-resilient-future-for-coastal-communities.
\2\ EESI Federal Resilience Programs article series: https://
www.eesi.org/federal
resilienceprograms.
\3\ NOAA National Sea Grant College Program: https://www.eesi.org/
articles/view/federal-
resilience-series-noaa-national-sea-grant-college-program. NOAA Coral
Reef Conservation Program: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/federal-
resilience-programs-noaa-coral-reef-conservation-program.
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program: https://www.eesi.org/articles/
view/federal-resilience-programs-noaa-coral-reef-conservation-program.
NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science: https://www.eesi.org/
articles/view/federal-resilience-programs-noaa-national-centers-for-
coastal-ocean-science.
NOAA Cooperative Institutes: https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/
federal-resilience-programs-noaa-cooperative-institutes. National
Centers for Environmental Information: https://www.eesi.org/articles/
view/federal-resilience-programs-national-centers-for-environmental-
inform
ation. Mission ``Iconic Reefs:'' https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/
federal-resilience-programs-mis
sion-iconic-reefs.
\4\ Climate Adaptation Programs across Agencies: https://
www.eesi.org/briefings/view/031822fed.
[This statement was submitted by Daniel Bresette, Executive
Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Family Based Alternative Sentencing (FBAS)
Chairwoman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the
subcommittee, I offer my written testimony in support of the request
for $10 million for Family Based Alternative Sentencing (FBAS)
currently funded through the Byrne Grant Program and administered by
the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in
the Department of Justice, to be used to fund State, local, and
community agencies to replicate successful parenting sentencing
alternative programs. FBAS corrects the systemic failure of American
criminal justice to take the needs, emotions and well-being of families
into account after arrest, pretrial and at sentencing following
conviction, a failure which contributes to family disruption,
alienation among children and community harm.
I submit my testimony as a lawyer who has been active in, and a
close observer of, criminal and juvenile justice in the United States
for more than 45 years. I began my career as a criminal defense
attorney with community based and law school legal clinics in Chicago,
Illinois, and as staff attorney with the National Legal Aid and
Defender Association in Washington, DC where I specialized in
sentencing in criminal case. For 19 years I was the founding Executive
Director of The Sentencing Project, also in Washington, DC. I also
served as Executive Director of the John Howard Association of
Illinois, an adult and juvenile corrections oversight organization.
More recently I was Project Director for the New York based Center on
Community Alternative's Project New Opportunity in Washington, DC, a
reentry program staffed principally by previously-incarcerated
individuals which achieved highly successful outcomes for persons
released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 2017-2018.
Over my career I have been the attorney for parents facing
separation from their children at sentencing, spoken with scores of
incarcerated parents and with their children, and represented and
interviewed youth struggling with the emotional consequences of the
incarceration of at least one parent. At Project New Opportunity, I saw
up close how difficult family reunification could be after years of a
parent's incarceration.
My experience confirms the pain and adverse impacts that a parent's
incarceration brings down upon their children which is described in
research provided by others to the subcommittee.\1\ As a third-party
witness, however, I cannot match the power of the voices of the
formerly incarcerated parents and the children of incarcerated parents
when they testify to their experience and to the damage to a child's
social and emotional development, health, education, finances and
housing stability that flows from incarceration of a parent.
But as a former practitioner who has had much opportunity to
observe criminal court processes and corrections operations, I would
like to offer that Family Based Alternative Sentencing programs will
help correct for a systemic failure, a deficiency in justice if you
will, long present in criminal justice as it operates in this country.
Historically and to my observation, criminal courts have not taken
factors such as parental status and family relationships into account
during the pendency of a case, in deciding pretrial release, or at
sentencing after conviction.
Surprisingly, being a parent with custody of a child is not one of
the codified mitigating factors a court need consider in order to
mitigate or help define an appropriate sentence.
Similarly, criminal courts and the probation agencies under their
supervision typically have not attempted to fashion sentences or
administer supervision in ways that ameliorate the adverse impact of
incarcerating a parent upon their children. As the research details,
criminal courts have been quite content to leave the fate of children
of parents they incarcerate to family courts, guardians at litem, child
welfare case workers and foster parents, sometimes but not nearly often
enough, with good effect.
It may well be that these deficiencies came about because, in large
part, current sentencing practices and sentences were shaped in the
years before the dramatic increase in the number of women in State and
Federal prisons--800% from 1978 to 2016.\2\ The fact is that as late as
the early 1970's criminal courts and sentencing were dominated by
males. Fewer women were being sentenced to prison, and men were less
likely to be, or at least to be considered to be, the primary
caregivers of their children.
The responsibility for a failure of the system to take into account
the needs of the children of parents facing incarceration is shared.
Defense attorneys such as myself focused on our clients' legal
defenses. With a few remarkable exceptions, most of us did not attend
to family dynamics or to the trauma, disruption, or the psychological
impact our client's case had on her or his child. Moreover, most
defense attorneys--particularly over-extended and understaffed public
defenders--were not equipped by training or with resources to take on
the challenge of minimizing damage to a child when a parent is
incarcerated, pretrial or after conviction.
As for corrections, few state prison systems provide accommodations
or material support for parents, even for incarcerated mothers, to help
sustain family relationships.\3\
My experience with reentry, in which family reunification is
important, drove home the deficiencies of our courts and correctional
agencies to address the issue while a parent is incarcerated.
Personally, I observed parents released from Federal prison struggling
to reconnect with children who had rejected them, were angry, had
themselves become substance abusers, or who had bonded with another
family. For all the years of their incarceration, often hundreds of
miles from their children, these parents had not been counseled or
assisted by programs designed to mitigate the pain and harm of
separation. The closest to any kind of program of assistance were
volunteer and non-profit-sponsored family bus trips to prison; multiple
hours both ways that were themselves sometimes so trauma-inducing that
incarcerated parents urged their children not to visit.
The appropriations legislation you are considering is encouraging,
a bright promise of improvement in justice. As the subcommittee will
hear, there are now programs which provide alternatives to
incarcerating parents. Programs in California, Illinois, Massachusetts,
Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington are giving children greater stability
and sense of belonging, contributing to family success, and, I have no
doubt by doing so, helping to reduce crime, support families and
improve communities. These programs have been shown to have high
success rates compared to outcomes where there is no assistance or
alternative to incarceration.
The legislation before this subcommittee will provide support for
programs that build upon these recent successes. That is why I
respectfully urge the subcommittee to support $10 million in funding
for programs that will help keep families together, will assist the
children of incarcerated parents, and will encourage alternatives to
incarceration for parents of children whenever possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Malcolm C. Young, Attorney at Law
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For an earlier research-based study which sounded the alarm
about the negative impact of incarcerating a parent, see: Allard,
Patricia and Greene, Judith Children on the Outside: Voicing the Pain
and Human Costs of Parental Incarceration, Justice Strategies (January
2011).
\2\ Carson, E., Prisoners under the jurisdiction of State or
Federal correctional authorities, December 31, 1978-2016, Washington,
DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics (2017).
\3\ The exceptions demonstrate the rule. For example, the ``Moms
and Babies'' program which the Illinois Department of Corrections
launched in 2007, which I visited it while in Illinois, claimed a
``Zero Percent Recidivism Rate'' after 4 years. It is regarded in many
respects a model for programs that keep infants united with their
mothers, of which there are only about seven others nationally. Yet,
housed in Illinois' Logan Correctional Center which holds more than
1,000 women, of whom about 70% have been mothers, after 11 years Moms
and Babies reported having served just 90 mothers, on average less than
9 per year. Illinois did not invest heavily in the program, claiming
that it was ``budget-neutral'' and sustained by community donations and
volunteers. Meanwhile, support for the hundreds of mothers not in the
program and their families lagged. In 2015, a Gender Informed Practices
Assessment (GIPA) conducted at Logan with technical assistance from
National Institute of Corrections and the National Resource Center on
Justice-Involved Women (NRCJIW) found major deficiencies in support for
families, including termination of state-funded transportation for
families seeking to visit incarcerated mothers. Prompted in part by the
GIPA, Illinois enacted the Women's Correctional Services Act in 2017
which directed the Illinois Department of Corrections to implement
``gender responsive policies, practices, programs, and services [that
are] considered relational, culturally competent, family-centered,
holistic, strength-based, and trauma-informed.'' Yet as basic as its
efforts were, Illinois is one of just a handful of States with any
correctional programs or legislated mandates addressing the challenges
confronting incarcerated parents and their children. A description of
the advantages and limitations of the Logan program and the National
context is provided in: Dworsky, A., Fedock, G., Schlecht, C., Malcome,
M., Murray, C., & Hazel, C., Addressing the needs of incarcerated
mothers and their children in Illinois, (Chapin Hall at the University
of Chicago and the University of Chicago's School of Social Service
Administration) 2020.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of Federation of American Societies
for Experimental Biology
Dear Chair Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran:
As the largest coalition of biomedical researchers in the United
States, representing 28 member societies and 115,000 individual
scientists, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (FASEB) recommends at least $11 billion for the National
Science Foundation for FY 2023.
Federal investments in fundamental research have led to remarkable
progress in the biological and biomedical sciences. Basic research was
the groundwork for the speed--months instead of years--that led to the
development of COVID-19 vaccines and also supports pre-clinical
research involving the use of animal studies to achieve medical
progress.
Despite Congress' bipartisan support for investing in science,
Federal funding for research has not kept pace, posing a threat to our
Nation's competitiveness. We face a real threat of losing our edge in
industries such as biotechnology if we do not prioritize increasing
investments in science, research infrastructure such as core
facilities, and building a diverse workforce\1\ The U.S. spends less on
research and development (R&D) than many countries. If the U.S. is to
be prepared to respond to future threats, our scientific leadership
must progress. According to Science Is Us, there is the added benefit
of jobs. STEM supports 69 percent of U.S. gross domestic product,
touches two out of three workers, and generates $2.3 trillion in tax
revenue.\2\
With a mandate to support fundamental research across all fields of
science, engineering, and mathematics, the NSF is the cornerstone of
our Nation's scientific and innovation enterprise while also advancing
our security and economic interests. Through a new technology,
innovation and partnerships directorate it will be better able to
collaborate with other stakeholders to translate fundamental research
into commercially viable products and services enhancing our
competitiveness on the global stage. At current funding levels, NSF is
not meeting the needs of researchers with innovative ideas bridging
multiple disciplines that could bring forth new technologies and
industries. Doubling NSF's grant award amounts and increasing their
duration to 4 years from 3 years is needed.\3\ Many potentially
fundable proposals are declined each year.
Among Federal science agencies, NSF has the unique capacity to:
Support Multi-Disciplinary Research.--By leveraging its portfolio
across the sciences, NSF funds cutting-edge research at the interface
of the physical, biological, and social sciences to tackle challenges
in creative ways, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and one
health.\4\
Organize and Lead Research Partnerships at Speed and Scale.--The
NSF coordinates and leads interagency research endeavors, including
partnerships with NIH and DOE SC. These collaborations advance public
health and clean energy, the development of artificial intelligence,
and other national priorities.\5\
Train the Next Generation of Scientists From Diverse Backgrounds.--
NSF plays a key role in creating educational pathways and supporting
the accessibility of scientific education, training scientists from
diverse backgrounds to increase inclusivity in science. These
scientists--some of whom will become entrepreneurs--will work across
different scientific disciplines, broaden participation in science and
engineering among underrepresented and diverse groups.\6\
Despite its critical role in accelerating science and innovation,
NSF's budget has been flat in constant dollars since the 2010 COMPETES
Act.\7\ There is also a pressing need to expand our scientific
enterprise across all disciplines as well as diversify the STEM
workforce. Recent data demonstrates that NSF was able to fund only 28
percent of the high-quality research proposals that were submitted,
rather than the National Science Board recommendation of 30 percent.\8\
According to the FY 2020 Merit Review Digest from NSF, approximately
$3.9 billion was requested for declined proposals that were rated Very
Good or higher in the merit review process (about 4,233 declined
proposals received ratings of 4.0 or greater). These declined proposals
represent a rich portfolio of unfunded opportunities--proposals that,
if funded, may have produced substantial research and education
benefits.\9\
Meanwhile, according to the National Science Board's Science &
Engineering (S&E) Indicators 2022 report, the US is falling behind at
10 percent compared to China's 49 percent of international patents
received from 2010 to 2020.\25\ The publication of research in peer-
reviewed literature--the primary mechanism for disseminating new S&E
knowledge--grew at an annual average rate of three percent for high-
income countries such as the US compared 11 percent for upper middle-
income countries such as China, Russia and Brazil over a 10 year
period.\10\
Our recommendation of at least $11 billion, will allow NSF to
establish a new grant program for early-career fellowships as
envisioned in congressional legislation, fund more high-quality
research proposals, and increase NSF's average award size.\11,12\ In
addition, this funding level will support NSF's new technology,
innovation and partnerships directorate (TIP) which will work with all
of NSF's directorates and offices to advance the impacts of NSF-funded
research by accelerating the translation of fundamental science and
engineering discoveries into innovative new technologies and solutions.
TIP will provide an optimized lab-to-market platform, fund the
successful Partnerships for Innovation, Small Business Innovation
Research, and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. NSF could
also accelerate key priorities, including Big Ideas that include
understanding the rules of life, future of work at the human-technology
frontier, mid-scale research infrastructure, inclusion across the
Nation, Innovation Corps, biotechnology and harnessing the data
revolution for 21st Century Science and Engineering and major
investments in graduate education.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20201/executive-summary.
\2\ STEM and the American Workforce. You've heard it before: STEM
jobs - . . . | by Science is US | Medium.
\3\ Senate Appropriations Committee's Commerce ,Justice, Science
and Related Agencies explanatory language for FY 2022, page 2 released
Oct. 15, 2021.
\4\ NSF's 10 Big Ideas, National Science Foundation, Alexandria,
VA.
\5\ NSF Collaborations with Federal Agencies and Others, National
Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA.
\6\ Education and Human Resources Directorate, National Science
Foundation, Alexandria, VA.
\7\ Subcommittee Report H.R. 2225--National Science Foundation for
the Future Act July 2021.
\8\ https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21002/tables.jsp Figure 1.5
NSF Competitive Proposals, New Awards, and Funding Rate.
\9\ National Science Foundation, National Science Board, ``Merit
Review Process Fiscal Year 2020 Digest'', page. 42.
\25\ SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INDICATORS 2022. Figure 25--Shares of
international patents granted to inventors, by selected country or
economy: 2010 and 2020.
\10\ SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INDICATORS 2022.
\11\ American Innovation Act, S. 1249.
\12\ Supporting Early Career Researchers Act, H.R. 144, Section 3--
Supporting early-career research fellowship program.
\13\ NSF Budget FY 2022.
[This statement was submitted by Ellen Kuo, Associate Director,
Legislative Affairs]
______
Prepared Statement of Federation of Associations in
Behavioral and Brain Sciences
The Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences
(FABBS) is grateful for the opportunity to submit testimony for the
record in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) budget for
fiscal year 2023. FABBS represents twenty-seven scientific societies
and over fifty university departments whose members and faculty share a
commitment to advancing knowledge of the mind, brain, and behavior. As
a leading member of the Coalition for National Science Funding, FABBS
joins the broader scientific community in urging Congress to fund NSF
with at least $11 billion in FY 2023.
NSF-funded research pays long-term dividends in innovation and
technologies driving our economy, national security, well-being, and
other areas of significant importance to our Nation. In addition, NSF
research and programs provide the tools to develop a workforce equipped
for the challenges and technologies of the future and foster the next
generation of scientists--with a commitment to broad participation--
whose work will keep this country at the forefront of discovery.
We are grateful for the four percent increase provided to NSF in
the FY 2022 omnibus spending legislation. Nonetheless, NSF needs more
consistent and ambitious funding increases to meet our country's needs
and to re-invigorate Federal research and development at a time when
our global competitors are looking to surpass American investments.
Funding for the NSF has remained stagnant over the past decade despite
established bipartisan and bicameral support for the NSF, including
essential contributions to prevent and address COVID-19, spark economic
growth, and strengthen national security; and despite evidence that the
U.S. has lost standing in international competitiveness.
As the House and Senate move to conference on the America COMPETES
Act and the United States Innovation and Competition Act, it is clear
that now is the time to increase Federal support for the NSF to ensure
the future health, security, and economic well-being of our Nation.
While Congress provides an expanded vision for NSF, the agency requires
additional resources to realize the potential of its existing programs.
One out of every four basic research projects at higher learning
institutions across the United States is supported by the NSF and the
Foundation's merit review process is the international gold-standard.
However, in FY 2020, almost $4 billion worth of proposals were rated
very good but were declined due to inadequate resources.
NSF Director Panchanathan has stated that proposals that do receive
funding could produce better research outcomes and provide better value
by increasing the size and duration of grants. In fact, he has said
that NSF could double their budget on the current research and
researchers that go unfunded, and ``a quadrupling of the funding is
just barely enough to be able to take us to all the ideas being
unleashed so that we might be far ahead of the competition.''
social, behavioral, and economic sciences
FABBS scientists have a particular interest in the Social,
Behavioral and Economic (SBE) Sciences directorate, which provides an
estimated 64 percent of the Federal funding for fundamental research in
SBE sciences at academic institutions across the country.\1\ Thus, our
fields are heavily dependent on the NSF to inform discoveries from
expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of memory underlying
brain activity, to contributing to the design and assessing the social
and ethical consequences of new technologies.
Findings from the brain and behavioral sciences have extensive
reach and applicability. For example, SBE funded researchers studying
violent extremism delivered new insights that the National security
community is now using to develop more effective strategies to disrupt
recruitment and counter extremism.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SBE scientists contributed in many
ways, including through the Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN).
This partnership between NSF's SBE directorate and the National
Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine provided actionable
responses to urgent policy questions. Consulting leading researchers in
the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, SEAN has published
guidance to inform more effective public policy.\2\ The National
Science Foundation's ability to conduct rapid-response programs such as
SEAN is just one example of the many ways in which NSF is uniquely
suited to capitalize on scientific discovery for the betterment of
society.
SBE is also home to the National Center for Science and Engineering
Statistics (NCSES), a Federal statistical agency that provides
statistical information about the United States' science and
engineering (S&E) enterprise. NCSES collects, analyzes, and
disseminates data on research and development (R&D), the S&E workforce,
the condition and progress of science, STEM education, and U.S.
competitiveness in science, engineering, and technology R&D.
technology, innovation, and partnerships
On March 16, NSF officially launched a new Directorate for
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). This exciting new
venture will take a cross-cutting approach to speed the translation of
basic research to make a difference in American's lives. By building on
existing multidisciplinary programs, such as the Convergence
Accelerator, TIP will integrate the expertise of all NSF directorates
to spearhead new use-inspired research.
To maximize the benefits of the TIP directorate, NSF must make sure
to take full advantage of the behavioral and brain sciences. All of the
directorate's target focuses, such as clean energy, quantum science,
artificial intelligence, supercomputing, etc., have human components.
Whether it is optimizing the user interface for a new technology or
finding the most effective way to communicate with lay audiences, brain
and behavioral scientists should be included to help maximize the
return on investment for these new programs.
Substantial, sustained funding increases will allow NSF to realize
the full potential of the TIP directorate by investing in critical new
programs while bolstering the existing investments in basic research--
including in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences--which
underly future societal, economic, and technological advances.
In addition to receiving support from SBE, FABBS members appreciate
critical funding from the Computer and Information Science and
Engineering Directorate (CISE), which funds research on topics such as
human-technology interaction and cyber-assisted learning, the
Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate, which funds research on topics
such as sleep and circadian rhythms and sex differences in responses to
stress, and the Education and Human Resources (EHR) Directorate, which
funds research on increasing America's human capital through effective
education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. EHR is
especially vital to expanding participation in science through programs
such as S-STEM, which provides scholarships to enable low-income
students with academic ability, talent, or potential to pursue
successful careers in promising STEM fields.
Increasing Federal investment in fundamental scientific research
across all sciences is critical to ensuring the future prosperity,
security, and health of our Nation and its people. We urge you to
provide NSF with at least $11 billion for FY 2023. Along with the
broader scientific community, we believe that increased funding for
fundamental scientific research would set the NSF on a path to yield
transformative benefits to the country. We thank you in advance for
your commitment to robust funding in fiscal Year 2023 and efforts to
complete the budget in a timely manner.
Thank you for considering this testimony.
FABBS Member Societies:
Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, American Educational
Research Association, American Psychological Association,
American Psychosomatic Society, Association for Applied
Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Association for Behavior
Analysis International, Behavior Genetics Association,
Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Cognitive Science Society,
Flux: The Society for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience,
International Congress of Infant Studies, International Society
for Developmental Psychobiology, National Academy of
Neuropsychology, The Psychonomic Society, Society for
Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Society for Computation in
Psychology, Society for Judgement and Decision Making, Society
for Mathematical Psychology, Society for Psychophysiological
Research, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues,
Society for Research in Child Development, Society for Research
in Psychopathology, Society for the Scientific Study of
Reading, Society for Text & Discourse, Society of Experimental
Social Psychology, Society of Multivariate Experimental
Psychology, Vision Sciences Society
FABBS Affiliates:
APA Division 1: The Society for General Psychology; APA Division 3:
Experimental Psychology; APA Division 7: Developmental
Psychology; APA Division 28: Psychopharmacology and Substance
Abuse; Arizona State University; Binghamton University; Boston
College; Boston University; California State University,
Fullerton; Carnegie Mellon University; Duke University; East
Tennessee State University; Florida International University;
George Mason University; George Washington University;
Georgetown University; Harvard University; Indiana University
Bloomington; Johns Hopkins University; Lehigh University;
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Michigan State
University; New York University; North Carolina State
University; The Ohio State University, Center for Cognitive and
Brain Sciences; Pennsylvania State University; Princeton
University; Purdue University; Rice University; Southern
Methodist University; Syracuse University; Temple University;
Texas A&M University; Tulane University; University of Arizona;
University of California, Berkeley; University of California,
Irvine; University of California, Los Angeles; University of
California, Riverside; University of California, San Diego;
University of Chicago; University of Delaware; University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; University of Iowa; University of
Maryland, College Park; University of Michigan; University of
Minnesota; University of Minnesota, Institute of Child
Development; University of North Carolina at Greensboro;
University of Oregon; University of Pennsylvania; University of
Texas at Austin; University of Texas at Dallas; University of
Virginia; University of Washington; Virginia Tech; Wake Forest
University; Washington University in St. Louis; Western
Kentucky University; Yale University
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2023/pdf/74_fy2023.pdf.
\2\ https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/societal-experts-
action-network.
[This statement was submitted by Juliane Baron, Executive Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Chairman Leahy, Chairman Shaheen, Vice Chairman Shelby, Ranking
Member Moran, and Members of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit
public testimony on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Florida A&M
University (FAMU) is grateful for the historic support of Congress
during the pandemic. Increased funding for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Education Partnership Program with
Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI) and the National Sea Grant
College Program, as well as the National Science Foundation's (NSF)
Education and Human Resources will have a direct impact on our
University, our students, our region, and our Nation.
Florida A&M University, based in the State capital of Tallahassee,
Florida, was founded in 1887 with only 15 students and two instructors.
Today, FAMU offers 95 degree programs to nearly 10,000 students. We are
proud to be the highest ranked among public Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCU) for three consecutive years, according to the
2022 U.S. News and World Report National Public Universities. The
University is a leading land-grant research institution with an
increased focus on science, technology, research, engineering,
agriculture, and mathematics. As noted by Diverse Issues, FAMU is a top
producer of African American undergraduate degrees and doctoral degrees
in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
The Federal Government is a key partner and resource for FAMU. The
Federal science agencies, in particular, support a wide range of the
University's education, research, and training programs. In turn, we
produce highly-skilled graduates in critical disciplines and conduct
cutting edge research benefitting the Federal Government as well as the
Nation. FAMU strongly supports funding for two important education
programs under the Department of Commerce National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as education programs under
the National Science Foundation Directorate for Education & Human
Resources (EHR).
noaa education partnership program with minority serving institutions
FAMU is one of the four lead universities for the NOAA Education
Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI)
Cooperative Science Centers (CSCs), and as such we support the FY 2022
Senate recommended allocation of $22 million for the program. The goal
of the EPP/MSI is to increase the number of students, particularly from
underrepresented communities, who attend MSIs and graduate with degrees
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) relevant to
NOAA's mission.
In August 2016 under the EPP/MSI program, NOAA awarded Cooperative
Science Centers (CSCs) to four universities under 5-year cooperative
agreements. This was the latest round of CSC awards since the program
was first established in 2001. FAMU is the lead university for the
Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, one of the four CSCs. Our
partners include Bethune Cookman University, California State
University Monterey Bay, Jackson State University, Texas A&M University
(Corpus Christi), and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The
annual appropriation supports FAMU, along with other lead MSIs, which
partner with 24 additional U.S. colleges and universities as part of
the CSC program with faculty and students conducting research that
further supports NOAA's mission.
In April 2022, FAMU hosted Phase II of the Tenth Biennial NOAA EPP/
MSI Education and Science Forum with over 460 registrants after holding
the first phase virtually in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. The focus
of the Forum is expanding academic training in NOAA-mission STEM
disciplines, through partnership activities as well as promoting career
opportunities for STEM graduates in the public, private, and academic
sectors.
Since 2001, NOAA EPP/MSI Cooperative Science Centers institutions
have awarded post-secondary degrees to over 2,500 students in fields
that support NOAA's mission. Over the same time period, these
institutions awarded over half of the doctoral degrees that were earned
by African Americans in both atmospheric science and marine science in
the United States. We support an increase in funding for this critical
program, which supports NOAA-related research, increases diversity of
the STEM workforce and fosters American competitiveness in STEM fields.
We urge the subcommittee to again recommend an allocation of $22
million for the NOAA EPP/MSI program.
noaa national sea grant college program
FAMU also strongly supports the subcommittee providing the FY 2022
Senate recommended allocation of $90 million for NOAA's National Sea
Grant College Program, which works to create and maintain a healthy
coastal environment and economy. The Sea Grant network consists of a
federal/university partnership between NOAA and 34 university-based
programs in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
The network draws on the expertise of more than 3,000 scientists,
engineers, public outreach experts, educators, and students to help
citizens better understand, conserve, and utilize America's coastal and
Great Lakes resources.
The Florida Sea Grant program is a Statewide program headquartered
at the University of Florida. The program supports research, education
and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic
opportunities for the citizens of Florida. Since 1997, faculty and
students at 13 participating institutions, including FAMU, have
received Federal funding from the Florida Sea Grant. In 2020, the
economic impact of the Florida Sea Grant program was $16.6 million and
resulted in 465 jobs created or sustained. The program also supported a
variety of research and training relevant to Florida's coastal
communities and related industries, including developing a model to
project future flood risks to support Florida's coastal resiliency
plans. The program augments the State's artificial reef efforts and
helps to protect, enhance and restore coastal habitat. Nationally, the
Sea Grant program had an economic impact of $519.5 million in 2021, far
exceeding the Federal investment in the program. The national program
helped to create or sustain 11,044 jobs and 1,332 businesses. It also
supported over 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students and fellows.
Last year, the Senate proposed to substantially increase funding
for the National Sea Grant College Program under NOAA's Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). Continued funding for this
program, which has been in existence for more than 50 years, is
critical to supporting Great Lakes and coastal communities, including
those in Florida, through research, extension and education. FAMU, as a
member of the Florida Sea Grant program, urges the subcommittee to
again recommend an allocation of $90 million for the Sea Grant program.
national science foundation education programs
The NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR)
supports a wide variety of programs across all levels of education in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In particular,
FAMU supports funding for the broadening participation programs aimed
at increasing the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM
education and, ultimately, the STEM workforce. These programs include
the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program
(HBCU-UP). FAMU urges the subcommittee to support the President's
budget request of $48.5 million for HBCU-UP.
FAMU has received significant research funding through NSF, which
has supported various research projects as well as programs to promote
underrepresented minorities in STEM careers. FAMU continues to pursue
NSF resources for innovative projects and encourages the subcommittee
to provide robust funding for NSF's education programs.
The President's FY 2023 budget requests $1.38 billion for NSF's EHR
programs. The budget also proposes an increase in the HBCU-UP program.
Funding at the President's budget request for EHR and the HBCU-UP would
allow NSF to expand its important work of supporting STEM education
programs, particularly its broadening participation programs directed
at underrepresented populations.
We urge the subcommittee to support funding increases for these
critical NOAA and NSF education programs. We thank you for your
continued support of Federal postsecondary initiatives that not only
directly benefit our University but our region and our Nation as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Larry Robinson, PhD, President]
______
Prepared Statement of the Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) supports increased
investments in geoscience research and education at the National
Science Foundation (NSF) and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). GSA encourages Congress to appropriate at least
$11 billion for NSF in Fiscal Year 2023 and provide increases to NASA's
Science Mission Directorate and its Earth Science and Planetary Science
Divisions. Investment in NSF and NASA is necessary to secure America's
future economic leadership, both through the discoveries made and the
talent developed through their programs. For the United States to
remain a global leader, the Nation must provide greater investment in
its people, particularly women and individuals from other groups
traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. Earth and space science
at these two agencies play a vital role in American prosperity and
security through understanding and documenting mineral and energy
resources that underpin economic growth; researching and monitoring
potential natural hazards that threaten U.S. and international
security; informing communities about the impacts of a changing
climate; and determining and assessing water quality and availability.
GSA is a scientific society with members from academia, government,
and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings,
publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its
members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. GSA
encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and
social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and
supports all levels of earth science education.
national science foundation
The Geological Society of America (GSA) appreciates the increase to
the National Science Foundation (NSF) budget in FY 2022 and thanks the
Committee for recognizing the important role that the agency plays in
our country's global competitiveness. We urge Congress to provide NSF
at least $11 billion in FY 2023. Increases in funding will allow NSF to
continue to support its core basic research in addition to growing
investments in its Ten Big Ideas and other transformational research,
such as that funded by the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation
and Partnerships (TIP).
Sustained increases beyond inflation are necessary to regain
America's science and technology leadership and to enable the
discoveries that lead to future innovations and industries. Data from
the Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 2020 Digest show that NSF receives
many more high-quality proposals than it can fund. In FY 2020, NSF was
only able to fund 28% of the proposals received. The report noted,
``Approximately $3.9 billion was requested for declined proposals that
were rated Very Good or higher in the merit review process--proposals
that, if funded, may have produced substantial research and education
benefits.''
Geoscience research is a critical component of the overall science
and technology enterprise and a key contributor to groundbreaking
research across disciplines at NSF. Increased investments in NSF's
geoscience portfolio are necessary to address pressing issues including
natural hazards, energy and minerals, water resources, and education.
--There is a vital need to understand the abundance and distribution
of critical mineral resources, as well as the geologic
processes that form them, as articulated in the Energy Policy
Act of 2020. NSF's Division of Earth Sciences supports research
on the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth and
the processes that govern the formation and behavior of the
Earth's materials. This research contributes to a better
understanding of the natural distribution of mineral and energy
resources.
--The quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater have a
direct impact on the wellbeing of societies and ecosystems, as
evidenced by flooding and drought impacts experienced across
the U.S. during the past year. NSF's research addresses major
gaps in our understanding of water availability, quality, and
dynamics, including the impact of both a changing climate and
human activity on the water system.
--The Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences provides critical
infrastructure and research funding for understanding our
planet, including weather and precipitation variability,
atmospheric conditions, and space weather hazards. NSF is a key
partner in obtaining data necessary to predict severe space
weather events, which affect the electric power grid, satellite
communications, and navigation systems, as noted in The
Promoting Research and Observations of Space Weather to Improve
the Forecasting of Tomorrow Act (PROSWIFT Act), which was
signed into law in October of 2020.
--Understanding the oceans is key to a sustainable future. The
National Research Council report Sea Change,2015-2025 Decadal
Survey of Ocean Sciences highlights areas of research that are
need to make informed decisions. These include better
characterizing risk and the ability forecast geohazards such as
earthquakes, tsunamis, undersea landslides, and volcanic
eruptions; rates, mechanisms, impacts, and geographic
variability of sea level change; and changes in the marine
food.
--Natural hazards are a major cause of fatalities and economic
losses. NOAA found in 2021 alone, 20 weather/climate disaster
events with losses greater than $1 billion. An improved
scientific understanding of hazards will reduce future losses
by informing effective planning and mitigation. We urge
Congress to support NSF investments in fundamental Earth
science research and facilities that underpin innovations in
natural hazards monitoring and warning systems. For example,
the Coastlines and People Hubs for Research and Broadening
Participation initiative aims to understand the impacts of
coastal environmental variability and natural hazards on
populated coastal regions.
national aeronautics and space administration
GSA appreciates past committee support of NASA Science and requests
increases to NASA's Science Mission Directorate and its Earth Science
and Planetary Science Divisions in FY 2023 as proposed in the
President's budget request. Increased funding will be critical to
implement the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences
report, Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth
Observation from Space. The report notes:
``Earth science and derived Earth information have become an
integral component of our daily lives, our business successes,
and society's capacity to thrive. Extending this societal
progress requires that we focus on understanding and reliably
predicting the many ways our planet is changing.''
The data and observations from Earth observing missions and
research are a tremendously important resource for natural resource
exploration and land use planning, as well as assessing water
resources, natural disaster impacts, global agriculture production. The
Landsat satellites have amassed the largest archive of remotely sensed
land data in the world. On September 27, 2021, the NASA/USGS Landsat
program launched its ninth satellite in its 50 year program that will
operate in tandem with Landsat 8 and replace Landsat 7. GSA supports
interagency efforts to ensure the future viability of Landsat
satellites as well as funding to increase the capabilities and uses of
multi-spacecraft constellations of small scientific satellites.
By looking at our planet as an integrated system, NASA's Earth and
climate science efforts are among the Nation's most effective tools to
understand and tackle climate change. For example, NASA's new Earth
System Observatory consists of a series of Earth-focused missions that
will create a holistic view of the Earth to provide key information
related to climate change, natural hazards and agricultural processes.
In addition, NASA's proposal to create an Earth Information Center will
make data more accessible to communities most affected by climate
change.
Planetary research is directly linked to Earth science research and
cuts in either program will hinder the other. In order to support
missions to better understand the workings of the entire solar system,
planetary scientists engage in both terrestrial field studies and Earth
observation to examine geologic features and processes that are common
on other planets, such as impact structures, volcanic constructs,
tectonic structures, and glacial and fluvial deposits and landforms. In
addition, geochemical planetary research studies include investigations
of extraterrestrial materials now on Earth, including lunar samples,
meteorites, cosmic dust particles, and, most recently, particles
returned from comets and asteroids. We appreciate past congressional
support for Planetary Science and urge you to continue to investment to
allow NASA to move forward with priority missions as identified in the
recent decadal survey, Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy
for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032.
support needed to educate future innovators
For the United States to remain a global leader, the Nation must
provide greater investment in its people, including women and
individuals from other groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM
fields. NSF's Education and Human Resources Directorate researches and
improves the way we teach science and provides research and fellowship
opportunities for students that encourage them to continue in the
sciences. Similarly, NASA's educational programs, led by NASA's Office
of STEM Engagement and directorates, have inspired and led many into
science careers. GSA fully supports these efforts, as well as
additional programs to make the geoscience workforce more diverse, such
as NSF INCLUDES. Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners
of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science.
Please contact GSA Director for Geoscience Policy Kasey White to
learn more about the Geological Society of America--including GSA
Position Statements on water resources, planetary research, energy and
mineral resources, natural hazards, climate change, and public
investment in Earth science research.
______
Prepared Statement of Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
(GLIFWC)
Summary of GLIFWC'S FY 2023 Testimony.--GLIFWC supports sustained
funding for the TRGP at no less than the FY 2022 enacted funding level.
GLIFWC is closely monitoring misinformation and harassment related to
the exercise of treaty rights and is working proactively with other
jurisdictions to address social conflict and prevent its potential
progression into extremism. This program has enabled GLIFWC to solidify
its communications, training, and equipment requirements, essential to
ensuring the safety of GLIFWC officers and the role of GLIFWC
Conservation officers within the proper functioning of
interjurisdictional emergency mutual assistance networks in the treaty
ceded territories.
Ceded Territory Treaty Rights and GLIFWC'S Role.--GLIFWC was
established in 1984 as a ``Tribal organization'' within the meaning of
the Indian Self-Determination Act (Public Law 93-638). It exercises
authority delegated by its member Tribes to implement Federal court
orders and various interjurisdictional agreements related to their
treaty rights. GLIFWC assists its member Tribes in:
X securing and implementing treaty guaranteed rights to hunt, fish,
and gather in Chippewa treaty ceded territories; and
X cooperatively managing, restoring and protecting ceded territory
natural resources and their habitats.
For over nearly 40 years, Congress and various Administrations have
funded GLIFWC through the BIA, the Department of Justice, and other
agencies to meet specific Federal obligations under: (1) a number of
US/Chippewa treaties;\1\ (2) the Federal trust responsibility; (3) the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, the Clean Water
Act, and other Federal legislation; and (4) various court decisions,
including a 1999 US Supreme Court case, that affirmed the treaty rights
of GLIFWC's member Tribes. Under the direction of its member Tribes,
GLIFWC operates a ceded territory hunting, fishing, and gathering
rights protection/implementation program through its staff of
biologists, scientists, technicians, conservation enforcement officers,
and public information specialists.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Specifically, the Treaty of 1836, 7 Stat. 491; Treaty of 1837,
7 Stat. 536; Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591; and Treaty of 1854, 10 Stat.
1109. The rights guaranteed by these treaties have been affirmed by
various court decisions, including a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community-Based Policing.--GLIFWC's officers carry out their duties
through a community-based policing program. The underlying premise of
that program is that effective detection and deterrence of illegal
activities, as well as education of the regulated constituents, are
best accomplished if the officers work within the Tribal communities
they primarily serve. The officers work with reservation communities of
the following member Tribes: in Wisconsin--Bad River, Lac Courte
Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Red Cliff, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake),
and St. Croix; in Minnesota--Fond du Lac and Mille Lacs; and in
Michigan--Bay Mills, Keweenaw Bay, and Lac Vieux Desert. To help
develop mutual trust between GLIFWC officers and Tribal communities,
officers provide outdoor skills workshops and safety classes (hunter,
boater, snowmobile, ATV) to Tribal youth in grades 4-8. GLIFWC's
officers also actively participate in summer and winter youth outdoor
activity camps, kids fishing events, workshops on canoe safety and rice
stick carving, and seminars on trapping and archery/bow safety.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GLIFWC's member Tribes saw a rise in
harassment incidents across the ceded territory. GLIFWC's Conservation
Officers have responded by increasing their coordination and
cooperation with local law enforcement and by documenting and mapping
the locations of these incidents. In May 2021, a roundtable discussion
was held that included Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Governor Tony
Evers, DNR Secretary Preston Cole, Tribal leaders, and State and Tribal
law enforcement to discuss how best to prevent and respond to these
incidents. GLIFWC Conservation Officers have also increased their
outreach to county sheriff's departments.
GLIFWC's member Tribes realize it is critical to build
relationships between Tribal youth and law enforcement officers as a
means of combatting gang recruitment and drug/alcohol abuse in
reservation communities. GLIFWC is continuing to implement community
policing strategies to build community relationships targeting Tribal
youth. GLIFWC Conservation Officers continue to work to improve and
expand youth outdoor recreation activities to help prevent violations
of Tribal off-reservation codes, improve public safety and promote an
outdoor lifestyle as an alternative to potentially turning to
violence\2\ and substance abuse\3\. GLIFWC, in partnership with the
U.S. Forest Service, plans to resume its Camp Onji-Akiing (From the
Earth) in 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth population
is more affected by gang involvement than any other racial population.
15% of AI/AN youth are involved with gangs compared to 8% of Latino
youth and 6% of African American youth nationally. (National Council on
Crime and Delinquency: Glesmann, C., Krisberg, B.A., & Marchionna, S.,
2009).
\3\ 22.9% of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth aged
12 and older report alcohol use, 18.4% report binge drinking and 16.0%
report substance dependence or abuse. In the same group, 35.8% report
tobacco use and 12.5% report illicit drug use. (2010 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interaction With Law Enforcement Agencies.--GLIFWC's Conservation
Officers are integral members of regional emergency services networks
in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. They not only enforce the
Tribes' conservation codes but are fully certified officers who work
cooperatively with authorities from other jurisdictions when they
detect violations of State or Federal criminal and conservation laws.
These partnerships evolved from the inter-governmental cooperation
required to combat the violence experienced during the early
implementation of treaty rights in Wisconsin. As time passed, GLIFWC's
professional officers continued to provide a bridge between local law
enforcement and many rural Indian communities.
GLIFWC remains at this forefront, using DOJ funding to develop
interjurisdictional legal training that is attended by GLIFWC officers,
Tribal police and conservation officers, Tribal judges, Tribal and
county prosecutors, and State and Federal agency law enforcement staff.
DOJ funding has also enabled GLIFWC to certify its officers as medical
emergency first responders, and to train them in search and rescue,
particularly in cold water rescue techniques. When a crime is in
progress or emergencies occur, local, State, and Federal law
enforcement agencies look to GLIFWC's officers as part of the mutual
assistance networks. In fact, the role of GLIFWC's officers in these
networks was further legitimized in 2007 by the passage of Wisconsin
Act 27, which affords GLIFWC wardens the same statutory safeguards and
protections that are afforded to their DNR counterparts. GLIFWC wardens
now have access to the criminal history database and other information
to identify whom they are encountering in the field so that they can
determine whether they are about to face a fugitive or some other
dangerous individual.
GLIFWC's participation in mutual assistance networks located
throughout a 60,000 square mile region increases public safety in an
effective and cost-efficient manner. In 2020, GLIFWC officers utilized
prior DOJ funded training and equipment to assist in the patrol of
276,345 vehicle miles. GLIFWC officers continued to assist federal,
State and local officers in: (1) responding to emergency backup
requests from other law enforcement agencies; (2) accidents; (3) search
and rescue operations; (4) medical calls including requiring CPR and an
AED to resuscitate citizens; and (5) removing commercial fishing nets
that have been damaged due to Lake Superior's strong storms or
vandalism which pose navigation hazards.
Looking to the Future.--Tribal members are relying more heavily on
off-reservation treaty harvesting activities, especially given the
ongoing pandemic and rapidly increasing food costs. This necessitates
more outreach to Tribal members to ensure they are exercising their
rights safely and within Tribal regulations. It also requires education
of the non-Tribal public about treaty rights. This work will
proactively prevent and deter social conflict. GLIFWC's Conservation
Officers are an integral part of this work and work closely with
GLIFWC's public information staff to ensure that timely and accurate
information about treaty rights is provided through GLIFWC media as
well as the media outlets of other jurisdictions.
[This statement was submitted by Michael J. Isham, Executive
Administrator]
______
Prepared Statement of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
On behalf of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), we
are pleased to provide this written testimony to House Appropriations
subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies
for the official record. HFES urges the subcommittee to provide at
least $11 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the
fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations process. In addition, HFES
supports efforts by NSF to broaden participation in science for
underrepresented groups to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive
workforce and research enterprise, such as the INCLUDES and ADVANCE
initiatives. These efforts are critical to not only fixing inequities
in the U.S. research enterprise but also to ensuring that the U.S. has
the robust, 21st Century workforce needed to maintain its competitive
edge in technological innovation.
HFES is a multidisciplinary professional association with over
3,000 individual members worldwide, comprised of scientists and
practitioners, all with a common interest in enhancing the performance,
effectiveness, and safety of systems with which humans interact through
the design of those systems' user interfaces to optimally fit humans'
physical and cognitive capabilities. The Society and its members
strongly believe that investment in scientific research serves as an
important driver for innovation and the economy, national security, and
maintaining American global competitiveness. Funding for fundamental
research at NSF to address national and societal needs will be critical
as Congress looks at legislation to ensure the U.S. remains the global
leader in advancing science and technology. We thank the subcommittee
for its longtime recognition of the value of scientific and engineering
research and its contribution to innovation in the U.S.
human factors and ergonomics at the national science foundation
HFES and its members strongly believe that Federal investment in
NSF will have a direct and positive impact on the U.S. economy,
national security, and the health and well-being of Americans. It is
for these reasons that HFES supports robust funding for the Foundation
to encourage further advancements in the fields of technology,
education, defense, and healthcare, among others. In the past, NSF
funding for HF/E basic research has strengthened interdisciplinary
partnerships allowing for a multilateral approach to technology
research and development, including the human and user perspectives.
The benefits of this research are not confined to one field but rather
span across a range of disciplines to increase understanding of the way
humans interact with technology, as well as with each other.
In particular, NSF funds HF/E research to:
--Better understand and improve the effectiveness of how individuals,
groups, organizations, and society make decisions.\1\
--Improve understanding of the relationship between science and
engineering, technology, and society, in order to advance the
adoption and use of technology.\2\
--Gain a better understanding of how humans and computers interact to
ensure the development of new devices or environments that
empower the user.\3\
--Inform decision making in engineering design, control, and
optimization to improve individual engineering components and
entire systems.\4\
\1\ Decision, Risk & Management Sciences (DRMS) Program (http://
www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5423).
\2\ Science and Technology Studies (STS) Program (https://
www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505697).
\3\ Human Centered Computing (HCC) Program (https://www.nsf.gov/
funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504958).
\4\ Operation and Design Cluster (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/
pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13473).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HF/E research will be especially critical as Congress and the
Federal Government work to develop, adopt, and broadly integrate
emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). HFES
recognizes that most systems that rely on AI will not operate
independently but will be initially programmed and trained by humans to
augment, collaborate, or perform specific tasks.
The HF/E profession has conducted detailed research on impacts of
AI on human performance, and HFES believes AI must be designed to
successfully support human capabilities and overcome known human
cognitive limitations, so that humans can understand the actions and
intentions of AI. More research is needed to understand how systems can
be designed to overcome AI biases, provide transparency and
explainability for human use, and provide clear interfaces for human-AI
interactions. Interdisciplinary research programs at NSF to address
these challenges, such as its Fairness in Artificial Intelligence
program\5\ and the AI Research Institutes\6\, will be critical to
ensuring the U.S. achieves the promised benefits AI can bring to
society.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ NSF Program on Fairness in Artificial Intelligence in
Collaboration with Amazon (FAI) (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/
pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505651).
\6\ Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes (https://
www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505686).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
the value of human factors and ergonomics science
For over 50 years, the U.S. Federal Government has funded
scientists and engineers to explore and better understand the
relationship between humans, technology, and the environment.
Originally stemming from urgent needs to improve the performance of
humans using complex systems such as aircraft during World War II, the
field of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) works to develop safe,
effective, and practical human use of technology. HF/E does this by
developing scientific approaches for understanding this complex
interface, also known as ``human-systems integration.'' Today, HF/E is
applied to fields as diverse as transportation, architecture,
environmental design, consumer products, electronics and computers,
energy systems, medical devices, manufacturing, office automation,
organizational design and management, aging, farming, health, sports
and recreation, oil field operations, mining, forensics, and education.
With increasing reliance by Federal agencies and the private sector
on technology-aided decision-making, HF/E is vital to effectively
achieving our National objectives. While a large proportion of HF/E
research exists at the intersection of science and practice-that is,
HF/E is often viewed more at the ``applied'' end of the science
continuum-the field also contributes to advancing ``fundamental''
scientific understanding of the interface between human decision-
making, engineering, design, technology, and the world around us
through research funded by NSF. The reach of HF/E is profound, touching
nearly all aspects of human life from the health care sector to the
ways we travel, to the hand-held devices we use every day.
conclusion
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, HFES supports an
overall FY 2023 NSF budget of at least $11 billion. This investment
funds important research studies, enabling an evidence-base,
methodology, and measurements for improving organizational function,
performance, and design across sectors and disciplines.
On behalf of HFES, we would like to thank you for the opportunity
to provide this testimony. Please do not hesitate to contact us should
you have any questions about HFES or HF/E research. HFES truly
appreciates the subcommittee's long history of support for scientific
research and innovation.
[This statement was submitted by Steven C. Kemp, CAE, Executive
Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Humane Society Legislative Fund and The Humane
Society of the United States
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the
subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to offer testimony on
matters of importance to our organizations and to our millions of
supporters. We thank you for the support and investment in animal
protection in the subcommittee's Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill.
We appreciate your continued consideration for the following requests
in the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Commerce, Justice, Science, and
Related Agencies budget:
--NOAA North Atlantic Right Whales: at least $26 million
--NOAA Protected Resources: increase of at least $30 million
--NOAA John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant
Program: $8 million
--Marine Mammal Commission: $6 million
--DOJ Animal Welfare Act enforcement: report language for DOJ-USDA
MOU
national oceanic and atmospheric administration--north atlantic right
whale conservation
We, along with coalition partners, request at least $26 million in
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) budget to
support the recovery of the critically endangered North Atlantic right
whale, which is plunging ever closer to extinction due to fishing gear
entanglements and vessel strikes. Recently updated estimates for the
species indicate that from January 2019 to January 2020, the population
plummeted by eight percent to 336 individuals-a rate of decline forty
times the legal limit. This is the lowest assessment in decades.
Within the $26 million for North Atlantic right whale conservation,
we request the following allocations:
Within Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Other Species
--$12,000,000 for the continued development and implementation of new
rules from NOAA aimed at reducing the mortality rate of North
Atlantic right whales by vessel strikes, fishing gear
entanglements, and other threats to their survival. This
funding should also be used for regulatory and management
support to both reduce vessel-strike risk in high-traffic areas
and to facilitate a transition to commercial fishing gear known
to reduce gear entanglement risk with a strong focus on
fishermen education and outreach.
--$8,000,000 to expand the pilot program to refine and field test
innovative fishing gear technologies designed to reduce North
Atlantic right whale entanglements. As determined by the
agency's needs, some funding within this amount should be
directed towards the development of geolocation technologies
and mapping. Lastly, research on how to lower the cost of new
gear technologies should also be included.
--$3,000,000 for: (1) Enforcement activities of offshore lobster
fisheries in Massachusetts and Maine, related to personnel and
vessel needs, monitoring, gear removal, and surveys (2)
Enforcement activities of current and future vessel speed
restrictions.
--$2,000,000 for surveys and monitoring, including underwater
acoustic gliders, of North Atlantic right whales in Atlantic
coastal waters.
--$1,000,000 for disentanglement, stranding response, and necropsy
activities.
--3 percent cap on the amount of funds NOAA can use internally.
Within Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys, and Assessments
$300,000 to continue conducting the continuous plankton recorder
survey that will enhance our understanding of the distribution and
movement of Calanus spp., the primary prey of the North Atlantic right
whale.
We thank the subcommittee for its continued commitment to ensuring
the survival of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
national oceanic and atmospheric administration--office of protected
resources
In the last few years, we have seen other imperiled marine species
reach crisis status. The Southern Resident killer whale population is
at its lowest levels in 20 years. The number of vaquitas-the smallest
and most endangered marine mammal on Earth-has plummeted by 90 percent
in recent years; scientists estimate that a mere 10 vaquitas might
remain in the world. Without bold, immediate action, their extinction
is virtually assured. Each of these tragic declines underscores the
danger of being complacent and failing to provide robust funding to the
National Marine Fisheries Service. Thus, we recommend a $30 million
increase in funding to the agency's protected resources budget to
prevent any more of our amazing marine species slipping irrevocably to
extinction.
national oceanic and atmospheric administration--john h. prescott
marine mammal rescue assistance grant program
We request $8 million in FY23 for the John H. Prescott Marine
Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, an increase from $4 million in
FY22. The Prescott program provides competitive grants to marine mammal
stranding organizations to rescue, rehabilitate, or investigate sick,
injured, or distressed live marine mammals, and to investigate and
determine the cause of death or injury to these animals. The program is
the sole source of Federal funding for the National Marine Mammal
Stranding Network, comprising more than 90 member organizations in 26
States, the District of Columbia, two territories, and two Tribes.
Funds are awarded only if at least 25 percent of non-federal matching
funds are also committed, and no single award may exceed $100,000. To
date, NOAA has issued 794 Prescott program awards to the National
stranding network, totaling over $67 million in Federal funding and
over $28 million in non-federal funding.
marine mammal commission
For FY23, we urge that the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) budget be
increased to $6 million to help restore the Commission's key oversight
role in conserving marine mammals. The U.S. taxpayer contributes just
over 1 cent per year to fund this agency and its work. Starting in
FY15, the MMC had been flat-funded at $3.43 million. MMC funding
increased slightly to $3.769 million in FY21, and to $4.2 million in
FY22. Despite that, the agency's actual discretionary funding has
declined due to rising fixed costs such as salaries and rent. Providing
$6 million in funding for FY23 would enable the MMC to fulfill its
obligations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
department of justice--animal welfare act enforcement
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) sets basic standards of care for
animals used in research, exhibition, transport, and sales. This law is
crucial to protecting over a million animals from inhumane care and
treatment. Yet many dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities are
getting away with egregious abuses. Enforcement of the AWA must be
strengthened because the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
enforcement actions have not been frequent or strong enough to stop
those engaging in abuse or to deter potential violators of the law.
Without vigorous enforcement of this important law, there is no
deterrent for violators and animals will continue to suffer. To keep up
with the sheer number of animals in need of AWA protection, the USDA
needs help.
The Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources
Division (DOJ) already works tirelessly to ensure that full effect is
given to the Federal statutes and enforcement regimes that provide for
the humane treatment of captive, farmed, and companion animals across
the United States--including sections of the AWA. However, to provide
the Department with additional tools to take action against dealers,
exhibitors, and research facilities that violate the AWA, we encourage
the inclusion of report language calling on USDA and DOJ to develop a
Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate a partnership in enforcing
the AWA, and to create a formalized structure for USDA to partner and
share information on AWA violators with DOJ.
As such, we urge the inclusion of this report language: The
Committee urges the Department to enter into a memorandum of
understanding with the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage greater
collaboration on Animal Welfare Act enforcement and ensure that the
Department of Justice has access to evidence needed to initiate cases.
[This statement was submitted by Jocelyn Ziemian, Senior
Legislative Specialist, Humane Society Legislative Fund]
______
Prepared Statement of Indigenous Cannabis Coalition
Dear Chairman Shaheen and Ranking Committee Members,
As Tribal leaders, Tribal citizens, organizations and cannabis
advocates, we publicly endorse the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations
legislation for the Commerce Justice and Science subcommittee and the
support for Tribal sovereignty and the implementation of Indian treaty
rights and self-determination in cannabis commerce. We believe that
responsible regulation and control of marijuana by Tribes in their
respective homelands is beneficial to society and the public's health,
and provides safer alternatives to the illicit cartel economies that
occur in States that continue the practice of criminalizing black and
brown communities with failed marijuana policies.
We support the 2023 appropriations bill's new policy language that
says no Federal funds appropriated to agencies within Interior, Justice
Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs or Office of Justice Services
could be used to ``enforce Federal laws criminalizing the use,
distribution, possession, or cultivation of marijuana against any
person engaged in the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of
marijuana in Indian country'' where such activity is authorized, we are
highly concerned that the new contingencies create further
discriminatory practices and fails to protect Tribal sovereignty.
We ask that the members of this committee pass this House measure
specifically regarding provisions on the Federal enforcement of
cannabis on Indian lands. The language reflects Tribal sovereignty for
all 574 federally recognized Tribes and does not allow for State law to
supersede Tribal law regarding trade and commerce in cannabis, an
imperative aspect of upholding the trust responsibility and uplifting
self-determination.
[This statement was submitted by Mary Jane Oatman, Executive
Director (Nez Perce/Delaware) Kamiah, ID]
______
Prepared Statement of Insights Association
On behalf of the Insights Association (IA), the leading nonprofit
trade association for the market research and data analytics industry,
I am respectfully submitting testimony on the U.S. Census Bureau's
``Ask U.S. Panel'' project and the bill language and committee report
language we are seeking. The project is presumably funded through the
Current Surveys and Programs account, though the President's FY23
budget request makes no mention of it.
IA defends and promotes the indisputable role of insights in
driving positive impacts on society and consumers. Our more than 7,000
company and individual members are the world's leading producers of
intelligence, analytics and insights defining the needs, attitudes and
behaviors of consumers, organizations and their employees, students and
citizens. With that essential understanding, leaders can make
intelligent decisions and deploy strategies and tactics to build trust,
inspire innovation, realize the full potential of individuals and
teams, and successfully create and promote products, services and
ideas.
The Ask U.S. Panel is being developed by the Bureau through a
cooperative agreement to create a new ``nationally representative
survey panel for tracking public opinion on a variety of topics of
interest to numerous Federal agencies and their partners, and for
conducting experimentation on alternative question wording and
methodological approaches.'' The Bureau intends to spend at least the
first 2 years of the project on a pilot before trying to make their
panel probability-based in the third year (or later).
This lead time is particularly galling since numerous private
sector insights companies and organizations currently provide well-
established high-quality probability-based panels to the Federal
Government and other customers without needing Federal subsidy and
multiple years of development time. At best, the plan for the Census
Bureau to develop a probability-based research panel is duplicative. It
is also anti-competitive, given these existing panels and the Bureau's
intent to fund an additional insights organization (Research Triangle
Institute) to spend years building one, whose intellectual property and
technology that organization would get to keep for its own purposes.
Our industry is not the only interest raising concerns about the
project. The Department of Commerce's Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) has initiated ``an evaluation'' of the ``award and use of a
cooperative agreement to participate in a joint statistical project
with Research Triangle Institute, an independent nonprofit
institution.'' The OIG's ``objective is to determine whether the
cooperative agreement was properly authorized, executed, and
administered in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.'' \1\
Recent Congressional inquiries to the Bureau have been met with
reference to this OIG evaluation as the reason for the Bureau's
inability to answer questions. However, if the OIG evaluation somehow
prevents the Census Bureau from discussing the Ask U.S. Panel, should
it not also prevent the continued pursuit of the project?
IA has requested bill language in CJS: ``No funds in this bill may
be spent in support or development of the Ask U.S. Panel or any similar
effort to develop a survey, opinion or market research service
duplicative of private sector offerings.''
Along with the prohibition on funds, IA also requested committee
report language: ``Ask U.S. Panel Survey. The Committee is concerned
about the lack of transparency related to the Census Bureau's plans for
implementation of the Ask U.S. Panel Survey, particularly given the
lack of congressional authorization and the expanding scope of the
project since it was initially announced. The Committee also is
concerned about the use of taxpayer dollars for the development of a
panel survey given the wide range of options that currently exist in
the private sector for these types of activities. The Committee directs
the Census Bureau to provide a report to the Committee within 60 days
about the panel's methodology, data collection processes,
implementation, and procurement strategy to allow the Committee to
evaluate the project's use of Federal resources.''
IA's concerns include:
1. Federal agencies can (and already do) purchase such services
from the private sector.--The ultimate goal of the Ask U.S. Panel
project--to create a probability-based nationwide representative survey
panel for tracking public opinion--is already being fulfilled utilizing
numerous non-governmental sources. Insights providers such as Dynata,
Gallup, Ipsos, NORC at the University of Chicago, SSRS, the University
of Southern California, and others maintain probability-based research
panels that could meet any needs of the Bureau or other Federal
agencies. Most of them already successfully provide such services to
Federal agency clients, including the Bureau itself. Plenty of other
insights companies and organizations with panels could also adapt to
provide probability-based panels if requested.
Since these insights providers offer their services commercially on
the open market, the Census Bureau could acquire such panel research
services with full and open competitions. So why does the Bureau feel
the need to disregard the availability of ready commercial alternatives
and develop its own panel?
2. The Ask U.S. Panel is an unnecessary financial burden on Federal
taxpayers.--Besides just the cost and expertise involved in
establishing this duplicative service, the Census Bureau has not
considered the immense expertise in data quality, incentive management
and delivery, fraud detection, and privacy and permissions management
required to successfully maintain this kind of panel. The Bureau has
mentioned no planned procedures to monitor and mitigate attrition of
panelists and how it would refresh the pool of available respondents.
The multi-year pilot plan suggests they just hope to learn on the fly
(an expensive gamble). Why should taxpayers fund the lengthy creation
and complicated maintenance of such a duplicative service when it could
be simply purchased in the open market for a tiny fraction of the cost?
The Bureau's supporting Statement to OMB estimates that the pilot
will cost a mere $3.5 million,\2\ but this hides the true cost of the
overall project, since actually building the panel, which the Bureau
doesn't propose to even do until at least year three, would cost a
massively greater amount. NORC estimates it would cost at least $25
million to build this kind of online panel, with annual maintenance
costing as much as $2 million per year.\3\ Meanwhile, NORC estimates
that studies from pre-existing probability-based panel providers could
``be purchased for as little as $100,000.'' \4\
3. The Federal Government should not compete against the private
sector.--According to the original Notice of Federal Funding,\5\ the
Ask U.S. Panel would be ``open to government and other non-profit
researchers and policy makers,'' meaning that the Bureau's proposed
panel itself could compete directly with private sector insights
providers.
Since 1955, Federal agencies have been charged with avoiding
``activities conducted by the Government that provide services or
products for its own use which could be procured from private
enterprise through ordinary business channels''.\6\ The policy required
the head of an agency to make any exception to such restrictions ``only
where it is clearly demonstrated . . . that it is not in the public
interest to procure such product or service from private enterprise.''
This policy was reiterated by every Administration following, including
in OMB Circular A-76\7\ and other policies specifically requiring
competitive sourcing.
The Census Bureau implies in a supporting Statement to OMB that it
has conducted a competitive sourcing analysis, but in fact has only
checked to see if the data to be collected in the pilot project stage
is duplicative of other Federal Government agencies.\8\ That is no
substitute for an actual competitive sourcing analysis.
4. Government should not subsidize a private entity to develop (and
keep for its own use) duplicative intellectual property.--By using a
cooperative agreement, under which the intellectual property (IP)
developed is owned not by the Federal Government but by the awardee,
the Census Bureau is using taxpayer funds to establish a panel that is
free to be used by a private entity for its own work long after the
contracted work is complete. Per the Department of Commerce Financial
Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions (December 26, 2014,
Sec. D.03.a), the awardee ``owns any work produced or purchased under a
Federal award.''
How could the best or most cost-effective way of pursuing the
Census Bureau's research goals involve directly subsidizing a private
entity to spend years developing a service already offered by other
private entities?
conclusion
We applaud the Census Bureau for their ongoing innovation and
dedication to serve as the leading source of the highest quality and
most representative data for America's people and economy. The Insights
Association dedicates much of our daily advocacy to supporting the
decennial census and the American Community Survey (ACS), the two
essential Federal data sources underpinning statistical sampling/
representativeness in almost all U.S. research studies.
The insights industry is no stranger to the importance of the
Bureau and its core work; we want the Bureau to focus on that work and
do it well.
IA remains gravely concerned about the shaky rationale and lack of
need for the Ask U.S. Panel given numerous commercially-viable
alternatives. The Census Bureau should be using the competitive
marketplace of available insights services to acquire pre-existing
research services on an as-needed basis, which would reduce public
burden, save years of development time, and ultimately cost taxpayers a
lot less money.
Thank you for allowing IA to testify on the Ask U.S. Panel project,
an important under-the-radar issue in the FY23 CJS Appropriations
legislation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Evaluation of the U.S. Census Bureau's Award and Use of a
Cooperative Agreement
(#2022-420). January 14, 2022. https://www.oig.doc.gov/OIGPublications/
Evaluation-of-Census-Cooperative-Agreement.pdf.
\2\ Page 17. Supporting Statement Part A Ask US Pilot_4_4--22.docx
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=202202-0607-
008.
\3\ NORC comments. February 22, 2022. Page 3. https://
www.regulations.gov/comment/USBC-2021-0024-0004.
\4\ NORC comments. February 22, 2022. Page 2. https://
www.regulations.gov/comment/USBC-2021-0024-0004.
\5\ CENSUS-ADR-ADRM-2020-2006579. U.S. Census Bureau Research and
Methodology Directorate Cooperative Agreements. Department of Commerce.
Page 10. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-
grants.html?keywords=CENSUS-ADR-ADRM-2020-2006579.
\6\ Bureau of the Budget Bulletin 55-4. January 15, 1955. https://
www.governmentcompetition.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/
Bureauof_the_Budget_Bulletin_55-4_January_15_1955.pdf.
\7\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/omb/
circulars/A76/a076.pdf.
\8\ Page 5. Supporting Statement Part A Ask US Pilot_4_4--22.docx
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewDocument?ref_nbr=202202-0607-
008.
[This statement was submitted by Howard Fienberg, Senior VP
Advocacy]
______
Prepared Statement of International Fund for Animal Welfare
Chairwoman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the
subcommittee:
Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony on the FY23
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has 15 offices
globally and works in more than 40 countries around the world. IFAW
takes a holistic approach to innovating solutions for tough
conservation challenges like conflicts between humans and wildlife, and
illegal wildlife trafficking. IFAW's Marine Mammal Rescue Team, based
on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has also served as a first line of defense
for stranded marine mammals in distress for more than 20 years. Our
team investigates incidents involving human interactions with marine
mammals, and, rescues dolphins, whales, seals, and other marine
mammals, releasing them, whenever possible, back into the wild.
IFAW is grateful for this subcommittee's championship of strong
marine conservation and research funding for the current fiscal year
(FY22), and requests additional support for these programs in FY23 to
meet urgent and growing needs.
Our oceans are in trouble. From the depletion of fish stocks to
climate change, increasing ocean temperatures, noise pollution, and
acidification, human activity threatens marine ecosystems that are
vital to the health of our oceans and to all life on earth. Marine
mammals are further impacted by changes that are occurring rapidly,
such as increases in offshore wind energy and aquaculture, potentially
exacerbating existing threats.
Fortunately, just as human activities are responsible for many of
the current ocean threats, it is within our power to change our shared
trajectory, and this subcommittee has jurisdiction over critical
programs that can help to do just that. Given the severity of the
challenges we face, IFAW respectfully asks the subcommittee to exert
its leadership in order to reverse the alarming and interrelated
climate and biodiversity emergencies by making substantial increases in
funding for the important marine conservation programs within your
purview. Doing so will help to protect ocean biodiversity, and will in
turn have significant positive effects, including promoting healthy
fish stocks, fighting climate change, and safeguarding human health and
wellbeing.
For FY23, IFAW requests the following direction from the
subcommittee within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service Marine
Mammals, Sea Turtles, and Other Species conservation programs:
north atlantic right whales: $26.3 million
Recent population surveys have found a decline in North Atlantic
right whale (NARW) populations, and suggest that there are currently
fewer than 340 individuals remaining. Urgent action must be taken NOW
in order to save these iconic animals from extinction.
The NARW faces ongoing threats from fishing gear entanglement and
vessel strikes, amongst other stressors. It is imperative that we
continue to provide significant funding to conserve this imperiled
species, better understand how it interacts with commercial fisheries
and vessel traffic, and if needed, support the fishing industry in
complying with last year's Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
(ALWTRP) rule.
Critical habitat for right whales frequently overlaps with
commercial fishing grounds and areas of high vessel traffic, leaving
the whales vulnerable to vessel collisions and fishing gear
entanglements, the two leading causes of injury and death to the
species. Whales that survive these dangers are often subject to chronic
stress and reproductive failure, further inhibiting the species'
ability to recover. Due to human-caused threats, the population's
mortality rate still exceeds the birth rate by a ratio of three to two.
By providing funding for NARW research and prioritizing cooperative
research with fishermen, Congress can help generate innovative and
long-term solutions for saving this endangered species--while
preserving the essential economic activity of commercial fishing and
shipping.
--$12,000,000 for the continued development and implementation of new
rules from NOAA to reduce mortality of NARWs from vessel
strikes, fishing gear entanglements, and other threats to their
survival. This funding should also be used to provide
regulatory and management support to both reduce vessel-strike
risk in high-traffic areas and to facilitate a transition to
commercial fishing gear known to reduce gear entanglement risk,
with a strong focus on fishermen education and outreach;
--$8,000,000 to expand the existing pilot program to field test and
refine innovative fishing gear technologies intended to reduce
NARW entanglements. As determined by the agency's needs, some
funding within this amount should be directed towards the
development of gear geolocation technologies and toward
strategies for lowering the cost of adoption of new gear
technologies;
--$3,000,000 for enforcement of current and future vessel speed
restrictions and offshore lobster fisheries in Massachusetts
and Maine, related to personnel and vessel needs, monitoring,
gear removal, and surveys;
--$2,000,000 for surveys and monitoring, including but not limited to
underwater acoustic detection technologies, of NARW in Atlantic
coastal waters;
--$1,000,000 for disentanglement, stranding response, and necropsy
activities;
--3% cap on the amount of funds NOAA can use internally.
We also request an additional $300,000 within Fisheries Data
Collections, Surveys, and Assessment in order to continue conducting
the continuous plankton recorder survey that will enhance our
understanding of the distribution and movement of Calanus finmarchicus,
the primary prey of the NARW.
john h. prescott marine mammal rescue assistance grant program:
$15 million
The Prescott Grant Program provides grants or cooperative
agreements to eligible stranding network participants for the recovery
and treatment of stranded marine mammals; the collection of data from
living or dead stranded marine mammals; and for facility upgrades,
operation costs, and staffing needs directly related to the recovery
and treatment of stranded marine mammals and the collection of data
from living or dead stranded marine mammals. In FY22, the Committee
provided $5 million for this important program. This year IFAW is
requesting a significant increase to $15 million.
The National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Network provides
critical services that allow NOAA to fulfil its duties under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Under the MMPA, the Secretary is
responsible for the establishment of the Marine Mammal Health and
Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP), composed of marine mammal experts
including stranding response programs, scientists, and veterinarians
who are charged with data collection on the health of marine mammals,
observed trends of wild populations, and effective responses to unusual
mortality events (UMEs) to better inform the collective management and
conservation of marine mammal species. Without the support and efforts
of stranding organizations who are fundamental to the collection and
reporting of this data, NOAA's understanding of marine mammal health
trends would be fatality flawed, putting NOAA at risk of violation of
the MMPA. In addition, responders provide a crucial service that
supports public safety, a timely and humane response, and life-saving
care for marine mammals--including a variety of cetaceans and pinnipeds
and endangered and threatened species--along the whole of the United
States coast.
As threats to marine mammals are increasing, the financial
constraints on the stranding network are also going up. It is estimated
that for every entangled whale that is reported, another 10 are unseen.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages and
increased shipping costs are driving up prices in a realm that is
already expensive. The provision of high-quality food and medication is
key to the successful care and rehabilitation of all marine mammals in
rehabilitation. Depending on the case, the testing necessary to reach a
diagnosis for a patient can include radiology or advanced imaging (such
as MRI or CT scans) in addition to the baseline diagnostics of complete
blood counts, serum chemistry profiles, parasite screens, and
microbiology. Members maintain fleets of rescue vehicles to safely
transport patients, and a hospital in which to care for them. The
hospitals include pens with enclosed pools through which water is
circulated. That water is filtered through a sophisticated system of
filters before being sanitized and returned to the patient pools. This
is key to maintaining good health for the patients, and the approach is
one that importantly considers the environment in that water is
conserved by this recirculation process.
Given the condition of our ocean and the threats to marine mammals
currently, and in the future, reinforcing and appropriately building
out the MMHSRP for timely, effective response in the interest of public
service, animal welfare, disease surveillance, science and conservation
will likely require a Federal investment of at least $30 million. For
FY23, IFAW respectfully asks for a significant investment of $15
million in the Prescott Grant Program toward that total figure.
unusual/large whale response funds: $1 million
A recent increase in large whale strandings along the Northeastern
coast of the US has led the Federal Government to declare three
separate, concurrent UMEs for minke whales, humpback whales, and the
endangered NARW, respectively to further assess these mortalities. The
primary cause of the NARW UME is human interaction, including vessel
strikes and entanglements, and a number of live entangled NARW have
also been included in the event. As fishing ropes have gotten stronger,
entanglements have become more severe and it is increasingly more
difficult for whales to break or shed the gear themselves. The
likelihood of entanglement has also increased as right whale habitat
and fisheries increasingly overlap due to changing ecosystems and
climate change. Entanglement can lead to reductions in feeding
capability, swimming efficiency, nutritional status, and fecundity and,
in many cases, results in death. In fact, between 2010 and 2018,
entanglements caused 72% of known-cause right whale deaths.
Furthermore, observed deaths due to entanglement alone have exceeded
the potential biological removal (PBR) levels, for both right and
humpback whales in the Northwest Atlantic for nearly two decades,
meaning that these human impacts are simply unsustainable for this
population and have been ongoing for far too long. With the NARW on the
brink of extinction, it is critical that action be taken now to address
entanglements or this species will be lost forever.
Unfortunately, despite the importance of conducting thorough exams
and necropsies on these critical cases and the technical expertise of
stranding networks, effective large whale stranding response has become
increasingly difficult. An increase in dead whale events, a lack of
resources, including adequate staffing, necessary heavy equipment,
appropriate carcass landing sites, and disposal options, as well as the
expense associated with aerial surveys to locate carcasses, on-water
towing, over-land hauling, heavy equipment hire, disposal and sample
processing are critical limiting factors. While limited Federal funding
is available for response to specific UME events, resources often are
not sufficient to respond to every event sufficiently or for non-UME
whale species.
The cost of a single stranding event involving a large whale can be
as much as $50,000 or more, making it difficult for responders to meet
not only our country's legal conservation obligation to these large
whales, but also a moral animal welfare obligation by expanding
detection and mitigation of anthropogenic threats to these federally
protected animals. IFAW therefore requests $1 million for FY23 to be
directed specifically to unusual or large whale stranding responses.
conclusion
In closing, thank you for the opportunity to share IFAW's funding
priorities to promote conservation in the FY2023 Commerce, Science,
Justice and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Our oceans and native
marine species are more than our National heritage; they are essential
aspects of the healthy ecosystems on which we all rely. We appreciate
the continued leadership of this subcommittee on conservation efforts.
With your support, we can reverse the tide of extinction, protect human
health, and promote a better future for generations of wildlife lovers
and Americans yet to come. Thank you.
[This statement was submitted by Kate Wall, Senior Legislative
Manager]
______
Prepared Statement of Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
On behalf of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, I am pleased to submit
this written testimony on our funding priorities and requests for the
Fiscal Year 2023 for the Department of Justice and the Department of
Commerce Budgets. Our Budget Request endorses the requests and
recommendations of our international, regional, and national partners,
the Pacific Salmon Commission, the Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National
Congress of American Indians.
The moral compass of our Nation is expressed annually when Congress
exercises its authority to appropriate funding to support certain
programs and services. The Constitution, Treaties, Executive Orders,
and numerous court decisions established the legal and moral foundation
for prioritizing funding for American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN).
Yet, as documented by two Reports that were issued by the U.S. Civil
Rights Commission, a quiet crisis of unfulfilled Federal obligations
has persisted for decades across Indian Country and has left our Tribal
citizens and communities vulnerable to the current public health crisis
and economic devastation. The COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate
impact on AI/AN resulted in the highest rates of infection,
hospitalizations, and deaths compared to any other racial and ethnic
group in the U.S. And these harrowing statistics are likely much worse
given the lack of accurate, reliable, quality data on AI/AN.
The Biden Administration has committed to respect Tribal
sovereignty, as well as, uphold the trust responsibility, strengthen
the Nation-to-Nation relationship, and empower Tribal communities
through Self-Governance and Self-Determination to make their own
decisions and govern their own communities. We urge Congress to follow
suit and pass a Federal budget for AI/AN that is reflective of the
solemn promises made by the U.S. We have proven time and again that
when you invest in Jamestown and empower our Tribe to exercise our
inherent right of Self-Governance we become strong economic development
drivers for our community and the surrounding region by growing our
resource base and creating jobs. Tribes are a critical governmental
partner in our Nation's quest to ``Build Back Better''.
uphold trust and treaty obligations
1. Provide Recurring Base Funding for Tribal Programs
2. equire All Agencies to Provide an Annual Estimate of the Costs
to Fully Fund Tribal Programs & Improve Data Collection to Support
Tribal Funding Requests
3. Provide Mandatory Funding for Tribal Programs and Services
tribal requests and recommendations--department of commerce
(Support the FY 2022 request of the Pacific Salmon Commission)
1. Provide $110 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery
Fund (NOAA/NMFS)
2. Provide $43.5 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty
3. Provide $26.5 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery Program
(NOAA/NMFS)
national requests and recommendations--department of justice
1. Fully Fund the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)
2. Fully Fund Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
3. Office of Justice Programs (OJP)--Create a Ten Percent (10%)
Tribal Set-Aside for Tribes
4. Victims of Crime Act Funding--Provide a five percent (5%) set
aside
5. Fund COPS Program--$52 million
uphold trust & treaty obligations
1. Provide Recurring Base Funding for Tribal Programs
Stable base funding at sufficient levels is essential for viable
and effective Tribal programs and services. Grant funding is highly
competitive, short-term, the application process is complex, the
administrative burden on Tribes is excessive and there are numerous
restrictions imposed on how Tribes may use the funds. Simply put,
competitive grants create barriers to effectively and efficiently
providing programs and services in Tribal communities. Reducing
Administrative inefficiencies would improve program effectiveness and
increase the ability of Tribes to leverage the Federal dollar. Base
funding coupled with more flexibility allows for more effective and
efficient use of the Federal dollar and stronger Tribal governmental
systems resulting in strong and self-reliant Tribal citizens and
communities.
2. Require All Agencies to Provide an Annual Estimate of the Costs to
Fully Fund
Tribal Programs & Improve Data Collection to Support Tribal
Funding Requests
It is incumbent upon the agencies, as trustees, to work
collectively with the Tribes to quantify the true unmet need/
unfulfilled Federal obligation with credible metrics that will
demonstrate an accurate community profile for each Tribe. We need
economic statistics and data that establish and drive policy goals,
ensure effective implementation of programs and services, measure
funding impacts, prove effective and efficient use of funding, and to
demonstrate program success. These data metrics, however, are not a
``justification'' of whether Tribes deserve funding. The Federal
obligation does not dissipate if a Tribe performs poorly in any area.
Rather, a heightened response by the government is required to identify
the challenges that impede a Tribe's success and to build greater
capacity at the local level, if necessary. At this point in time, there
is not a system in place that captures the data needed. There is an
absence of good data agency-wide with some agencies under the prior
Administration having imposed a moratorium on the collection of needs-
based data for Tribes. The Federal Government needs to be held
accountable and directed to work in partnership with Tribes to collect
data that quantifies the true unmet needs/unfulfilled Federal
obligations in Indian country.
3. Provide Mandatory Funding for Tribal Programs and Services
Trust and Treaty obligations are not discretionary; these are
mandatory obligations. On an annual basis Tribes are required to
``justify'' their budgetary needs and prove to the Federal Government
that the Federal investment in Tribal communities is a good investment.
We have shown time and again that the Federal investment in Jamestown
is a good investment but the narrative about funding needs to be re-
written because it is mischaracterizing the Federal trust obligation.
Tribes relinquished their lands and resources in exchange for funding
and services from the Federal Government in perpetuity and that
obligation has not changed with time. It is solidified in our
Constitution, Treaties, Executive Orders, and countless legal opinions.
department of commerce tribal requests and recommendations
1. $110 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (NOAA/
NMFS)
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery fund was established to reverse
the decline of salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest. Jamestown
uses the funds to restore wild salmon populations and to protect and
restore important habitat in the Puget Sound coastal plains. These
funds also support our policy development and help to build the
technical capacity of our Natural Resource staff charged with planning,
implementation, and monitoring recovery activities.
2. $43.5 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty--The U.S. Section
estimates that this funding is needed to implement national
commitments created by the Treaty (NOAA/NMFS)
The Pacific Salmon Treaty provides the framework for international
collaboration and cooperation to conserve and manage Pacific Salmon.
The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) works together to establish fishery
regimes, develop management recommendations, assess each country's
performance and compliance with the Treaty, and is the forum for all
entities to work towards reaching an agreement on mutual fisheries
issues.
3. $26.5 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery Program (NOAA/NMFS)
Jamestown hatchery operations have elevated our success and
generated a substantial return on our investment in our aquaculture
business. The Tribe operates three hatcheries, two in Washington state
and one in Hawaii that produce shellfish and sablefish seeds. The
seedlings help to replenish fish and shellfish stocks that have been
depleted due to loss of ecosystems and natural habitats. Tribes depend
on hatcheries to support Treaty fishing rights, protect our culture and
traditional ways of life, and to bolster our commercial fishery
operations at home and trade abroad.
national requests and recommendations department of justice
1. Fully Fund the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA)
The Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) was an important step in
empowering Tribes to better address the unique public safety challenges
and reduce the prevalence of violent crime in Indian country. However,
effective implementation of TLOA is contingent upon adequate Federal
funding for law enforcement, courts, detention facilities and the
provision of rehabilitative and preventative services. Full Funding is
needed to effectively and efficiently implement the comprehensive and
improved measures that were enacted to address the public safety crisis
in Tribal communities.
2. Fully Fund Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Including $5 million
for VAWA Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
The Office on Violence Against Women provides funding for Tribes to
address violence against women in their communities. The incidence of
domestic violence in Tribal communities is staggering and it is
estimated that over 85% of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) will
be victims of intimate partner violence, stalking and/or sexual
violence in their lifetime. Over 90% of these crimes are committed by
non-Natives who were outside of the jurisdictional authority of the
Tribes. In 2013, Congress afforded AI/AN judicial recourse by
reaffirming the inherent sovereign authority of Tribes to exercise
Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction over Indians and Non-
Indians who commit certain crimes in Indian country. Although Congress
authorized $5 million for Tribes to exercise this new jurisdictional
authority, in FY2021 only $4.3 million was appropriated. Tribal justice
systems need additional resources to fully implement this authority and
we therefore urge Congress to appropriate $5 million.
3. Office of Justice Programs (OJP)--Create a 10% Tribal Set-Aside for
all (OJP) Programs and Allow for Greater Flexibility
Jamestown is advocating for a 10% Tribal set-aside from all OJP
discretionary programs to provide Tribes base funding and maximum
flexibility including the ability to combine DOJ funding with other
sources of funding and allow Tribes to develop comprehensive holistic
strategies to address public safety and justice in their communities.
Stable funding for Tribal public safety and justice is a prerequisite
to ensure a safe, healthy, and thriving Tribal community.
4. Provide a Five Percent (5%) Tribal Set-Aside for Victims of Crime
Act Funding
The Victims of Crime Act funding is financed by fines and penalties
imposed on convicted Federal offenders and is the largest source of
Federal funding for crime victims. As of 2020, the fund balance was
over $6 billion. Although the fund was established in 1984 and despite
the staggering rates of violent crimes in Indian country, Tribes were
not authorized as direct recipients of funding until recently. For the
past 5 years, Congress has authorized and appropriated a portion of the
fund directly to Tribal Nations. We urge Congress to continue to
provide a 5% Tribal Set Aside on a recurring annual basis.
5. Fund the COPS Program--$52 million
The COPS Office provides funding to Tribes for law enforcement
officers. Since the creation of the COPS program Tribes have hired more
than 1700 law enforcement officers. COPS funding is also used for
police training, equipment, vehicles, and technology. Although there is
a great need for additional law enforcement officers throughout Indian
Country, limited resources has hindered Tribe's ability to hire,
retain, and train law enforcement officers. It is imperative for the
safety of Tribal citizens, Indian communities, and surrounding
neighboring communities that a significant increase in funding is
allocated for Tribal law enforcement officers and programs.
We thank you for the opportunity to provide this written testimony.
[This statement was submitted by Hon. W. Ron Allen, Tribal
Chairman/CEO]
______
Prepared Statement of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
Chairman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and other members of the
subcommittee, we commend your long-standing support for key ocean
accounts, and thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony
regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 CJS appropriations bill.
Our oceans hold some of our most viable solutions to address
climate impacts. These impacts are already exacting an enormous and
unacceptable toll on our economy and our communities. The agencies
under your charge are required by law to respond to the domestic and
global crisis in our oceans, which is inextricably linked to climate.
We urge you to ensure that all have sufficient resources to take the
necessary actions. You have an opportunity to reassert global
leadership that will steer the planet, including the stewardship of our
oceans, back to a just, sustainable, and more secure future.
We are encouraged by the Administration proposal for nearly $7
billion for NOAA, as well as significantly increased support for the
National Science Foundation and NASA's Earth Science Division. However,
we ask your committee to critically examine funding for these front-
line agencies in FY 2023 to determine if additional resources are
required to empower them to confront the unprecedented challenges posed
by a rapidly changing climate, including more than a foot of sea level
rise by 2050, as recently documented by NOAA.
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (Joint Initiative) is a
collaborative, bipartisan effort to catalyze action on meaningful ocean
policy reform. We believe that providing the necessary funding for core
programs at NOAA, NSF, and NASA is an essential investment that will
save lives, protect national security, grow our economy, increase
justice and equity, mitigate climate change, and preserve the health of
our oceans, coasts, and communities.
Ocean and coastal environments are often the first line of defense
in promoting resilience and protecting American communities from severe
weather events. The oceans are disproportionately impacted by
increasing emissions from human activities, but also have immense
potential to reduce carbon emissions by as much as 21 percent, and play
an instrumental role in mitigating the climate crisis. For example,
with adequate funding US agencies can exert global leadership to
significantly reduce emissions from marine transportation and ports,
which now account for nearly 3 percent of global GHG emissions.
Likewise, your budget should provide funding to encourage action to
advance offshore renewable energy to create new clean energy sources
and invest in coastal communities. With a clear nexus of climate and
oceans, a failure to take decisive action would severely impact the
health and livelihoods of millions of Americans, with the largest
impact on historically underserved communities, especially Black,
Indigenous people of color, and low-income environmental justice
communities. Programs should be designed to create just and equitable
policy solutions and empower these communities to take decisive action
to restore and protect the places they live, work, and recreate.
The Biden Administration's proposed topline budget makes
significant strides toward re-establishing NOAA, NSF, and NASA Earth
Sciences as premier science agencies that provide the underpinning to
address the global climate crisis, while restoring and protecting the
Nation's oceans. However, we strongly urge the Committee to consider
strategic investments above this level in critical accounts such as
ocean acidification, managing fish stocks, addressing the ocean/climate
interface for wind power and shipping decarbonization, and empowering
oceans and coasts to mitigate climate impacts.
research, exploration, and observation
A critical component of America's economic, military, and
diplomatic power lies in its ocean research, education, exploration,
and observation enterprises. Especially given the pace of observed
changes in climate and ocean chemistry, we strongly urge the
subcommittee to protect vital ocean science and research capabilities.
To make the best, proactive management decisions possible, it is
necessary that we first explore, map, observe, and understand our
ocean.
Observation and monitoring programs are integral to NOAA's ability
to accurately forecast weather, for NOAA's protection and management of
America's ocean resources, and for the U.S. military's navigation and
extreme weather preparedness. We ask that your committee continue to
fully support enhanced capabilities for observation and monitoring by
NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and NOAA's
Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring Program. We also suggest
the committee continue its support for the Ocean Exploration program to
maintain the pace, scope, and efficiency of exploration. It is also
critical to fund climate research at OAR. This is essential to promote
high-priority climate science that advances our understanding of
Earth's climate system.
Likewise, we support the FY 2023 proposed increase in NSF's overall
budget to $10.5 billion, recognizing that developing sufficient
capabilities to sustain ocean-based economies and protect our coasts
and coastal communities from natural and man-made hazards will require
a sustained investment in the geosciences, essential to economic
development and the safety and security of our citizens. NSF's
investment in the geosciences--which includes ocean sciences--has
spurred innovations, addressed salient national and global challenges,
galvanized new economic sectors, generated countless jobs, and led to
the development and implementation of advanced technologies.
We are highly supportive of the proposed increase in NASA's Earth
science funding for climate and weather monitoring and measurement. The
recommended $2.4 billion for Earth-observing satellites and related
research will enhance NASA's ability to improve national capabilities
to predict climate, weather, and natural hazards, and better manage
resources.
education and extension
The National Sea Grant College Program works to better research,
understand, conserve, and utilize America's coastal resources, making
it critical to coastal States, communities, and economies. Given Sea
Grant's critical importance, we urge this committee to strongly support
Sea Grant in FY 2023, including funding for marine aquaculture
education and extension programming.
NOAA's environmental education and ocean stewardship programs
increase essential access to STEM education and cultivate environmental
stewardship. We request that the committee continue its support for
Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) programs and Environmental
Literacy Programs (ELP). These vital programs in increase equity
through inspiring and educating future ocean leaders who represent all
Americans.
resilience and security
Sufficient funding must be dedicated to strengthening the
resiliency of coastal communities and ocean ecosystems to combat
dramatic, climate driven changes in our oceans. We ask this
subcommittee to continue leading on ocean and coastal security by
funding over historical levels the National Ocean and Coastal Security
Fund (NOCSF) in FY 2023. We further recommend continued support for
regional data portals used to support critical ocean partnerships that
encourage collaboration and data sharing on the regional scale. In
addition, we recommend continued support of Coastal Management Grants
and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, which preserve
millions of acres of coastal habitat, buffering against rising seas and
storm events.
NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is a front-line agency for
sustained resilience and security. We strongly recommend that NOS be
adequately funded commensurate with its sobering responsibilities. NOS
also supports the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which
collects and distributes data that is used at the National, regional,
State, and local levels. We recommend you strongly support IOOS to meet
the safety, economic and stewardship needs of the Nation.
The NOS also administers the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
and key restoration projects that dramatically enhance the resilience
of coastal communities and ocean environments. National Marine
Sanctuaries require continued congressional support to protect and
steward special marine spaces, especially in the face of climate
change, and develop the next generation of ocean stewards.
ocean acidification
Ocean acidification is evident along every shoreline and is
impacting economies worldwide. By changing the chemistry of seawater,
ocean acidification endangers shellfish, corals, and other marine life
and disrupts marine food webs. Ocean acidification poses a fundamental
risk to fisheries and aquaculture industries and to human health, as
well as a potentially catastrophic risk to our economy. We strongly
urge you to increase funding for NOAA's Integrated Ocean Acidification
program to support critical research, monitoring, education, and
outreach. The potential devastating impact from ocean acidification
requires an unequivocal response to prevent catastrophe.
sustainable fisheries & aquaculture
Fishing is a cornerstone of the ocean economy and an important
aspect of American history and culture. Since 1976, we have seen
tremendous progress toward creating and maintaining sustainable
fisheries domestically and internationally, in part due to your
subcommittee's commitment to scientifically-sound fishery management.
Aquaculture is also a growing aspect of America's seafood economy. We
are encouraged by NOAAs strong support for sustainable, environmentally
sound aquaculture.
However, America's seafood industry is currently being challenged
by changing ocean conditions, shifts in historic stock distributions,
and increasingly complex data requirements. NOAA Fisheries requires
elevated funding to address these challenges. We thank you for
responding to our testimony from year's past and many other
organizations, increasing funding for the NOAA Fisheries to over $1
billion. We ask you to continue this trend in fiscal Year 2023, to
fully implement the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. We also urge you to support full implementation of the
U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program to address IUU fishing and other
initiatives to spread sustainable fisheries management globally.
Further, we recommend funding the research and expansion of aquaculture
to increase sustainable American seafood, and provide a low-carbon
source of protein for the planet's projected 10 billion people. These
initiatives will not only increase sustainability but also create
quality jobs for coastal Americans.
concluding remarks
The Joint Initiative greatly appreciates your commitment to
addressing the challenges of our maritime nation, and to the ocean-
climate nexus, so critical to the future of our blue planet. We
appreciate your consideration of our fiscal Year 2023 budget request.
We will continue to track progress on key ocean and coastal programs
and accounts in fiscal Year 2023 and beyond, and we stand ready to
assist you in advancing positive and lasting changes in the way we
manage our Nation's oceans and coasts.
Joint Initiative Leadership Council Members
The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman, Co-Chair
Maite Arce | Frances Beinecke | Don Boesch The Honorable Norm Dicks |
Quenton Dokken | Robert Gagosian | Sherri Goodman | Scott Gudes | The
Honorable Conrad Lautenbacher | Margaret Leinen | Julie Packard | The
Honorable Leon Panetta | John Pappalardo | The Honorable Pietro
Parravano | Queen Quet |Randy Repass | Larry Robinson | Andrew
Rosenberg Paul Sandifer
[This statement was submitted by Christine Todd Whitman and Leon
Panetta]
______
Prepared Statement of the Learning and Education Academic Research
Network (LEARN)
We are writing on behalf of the Learning and Education Academic
Research Network (LEARN) Coalition to express our support for increased
funding for several key STEM related research programs that your
subcommittee will debate as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023
appropriations process. LEARN, a coalition of 41 leading research
colleges of education across the country, supports critical investments
in research aimed at advancing the scientific understanding of learning
and development. We advocate for greater funding for these priorities
across all Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation
(NSF). Specifically, LEARN is requesting $11 billion be allocated to
NSF overall, and for Congress to match the President's FY2023 budget
proposal by providing $1.37 billion towards the Directorate for
Education and Human Resources (EHR), which the Administration's FY2023
budget request be renamed the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU), and
robust funding for the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and
Partnerships (TIP). While advocating for these increased resources for
FY2023, we want to express our appreciation for the increases for NSF
provided in FY2022.
While we are grateful for the funding NSF was appropriated in
FY2022, we respectfully recognize that increased funding is required to
address the effects of historical underinvestment in fundamental
research in the United States as well as to support COVID-19 recovery.
According to the National Science Board, more than $3 billion in high-
quality proposals are submitted each year that cannot be funded with
current appropriations. The potential impact of these missed
opportunities is even starker when considering the return on investment
of fundamental scientific research and the significant investments that
other nations -both allies and adversaries-are making in comparable
research areas.
In addition to our call for a $11 billion funding level for NSF,
LEARN supports funding for NSF's EDU directorate at $1.37 billion in
FY2023. EDU works to prepare the next generation of STEM professionals
by conducting rigorous research and evaluation of STEM education. Over
the past 20 years, the share of U.S. research and development funded by
the Federal Government has declined; this decline has
disproportionately impacted the higher education sector reducing
resources to the sector that drives the most innovation in this area.
Stagnation in these key U.S. talent development programs come as our
National security leaders are sounding alarm bells over foreign talent
recruitment programs which are effectively siphoning STEM capacity from
the United States and elsewhere to countries that are strongly
investing while we remain complacent. As Congress considers making a
large investment in STEM education through the America Creating
Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology,
Education, and Science (COMPETES)/United States Innovation and
Competition (USICA) Act, we urge you to first invest in EDU which has
been successfully supporting STEM education research and dissemination
to ensure the creation of an adept and diverse STEM workforce.
Finally, LEARN members are invigorated by the Administrations new
call for funding for the TIP directorate. As noted in the President's
FY2023 budget, a portion of TIP's mission is to ``cultivate new
education pathways leading to a diverse and skilled future technical
workforce comprising researchers, practitioners, technicians and
entrepreneurs.'' The newly proposed funding for TIP would allow for
work across the public and private sector to provide practical
experiences to learners and encourage strategic cross-sector
partnerships. By targeting a range of educational institutions from
community colleges and vocational schools to graduate schools, adequate
funding for TIP would ensure that the Nation's STEM workforce is as
diverse as it is strong. As a nascent directorate, we urge Congress to
provide TIP with robust funding so it can accomplish its innovative
goals.
The LEARN Coalition believes strongly that collectively these key
investments will advance scientific learning and development to ensure
a globally competitive, STEM-educated workforce in the long run. Thank
you for considering these requests and please contact us if we can be
of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Camilla P. Benbow, EdD
Co-Chair, Learning and Education Academic Research Network (LEARN)
Patricia and Rodes Hart
Dean of Education and Human Development of the Peabody College of
Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University
Rick Ginsberg, PhD
Co-Chair, Learning and Education Academic Research Network (LEARN)
Dean of the School of Education, University of Kansas
Glenn E. Good, PhD
Co-Chair, Learning and Education Academic Research Network (LEARN)
Dean of the College of Education, University of Florida
______
Prepared Statement of Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is pleased to submit this statement in
support of President Biden's $6.9 billion budget for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the FY 2023
Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Act. The following testimony
outlines several specific requests within NOAA that support vital
research, education and grant programs that are needed in California,
the West Coast and nationwide.
The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the
ocean. In a typical year, we welcome 2 million visitors annually,
provide more than 91,000 students and 5,000 teachers with award-winning
education programs at no cost, and continue to produce valuable data,
tools and approaches at local to global scales through our conservation
and science programs.
NOAA is a crucial leader and frequent partner in our mission-driven
work. As the Nation's lead science agency for oceanic and atmospheric
matters, NOAA provides important tools and services that are necessary
to supporting safe communities across the United States and creating a
sustainable future for all. NOAA's research, environmental observations
and predictions, marine resource conservation and management and
education programs and services shape the way we live today and guide
decision-making about how to maintain the health and function of
coupled ocean and climate system.
The Aquarium strongly supports the President's budget request of
$6.9 billion dollars for FY23 and encourages the subcommittee to
continue its balanced and strategic investment strategy for NOAA.
Significant congressional investment in NOAA is needed to ensure that
the Nation's ocean agency can continue to provide vital science and
management services into the future and act for the health and safety
of our citizens and rich natural resources. The Aquarium urges the
subcommittee to support priority requests for research, education,
management, and grants in FY23 that are particularly important for
California and West Coast communities.
Pacific Highly Migratory Species.--Pelagic and highly migratory
fisheries in the Pacific Ocean support thousands of jobs and generate
hundreds of millions in revenue related to commercial and recreational
fishing, as well as related seafood industries along the West Coast.
These highly migratory species (HMS) include valuable tunas (albacore,
bluefin), swordfish, marlin, and pelagic sharks that are managed
through international agreements and rely on scientific contributions
from all nations.
Federal funding opportunities for non-federal scientists in pelagic
and HMS research programs in the Pacific have declined considerably
since the Pacific Fisheries Research Program (PFRP) ended in 2013. This
has resulted in significantly fewer public-private research
collaborations with NOAA and a lack of independent science to address
critical and timely management questions that directly impact U.S.
stakeholders and the health of the Pacific Ocean ecosystem. In the
Atlantic, NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) currently has dedicated Federal
research programs for HMS fisheries, notably the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Research Program, as well as a recent HMS Research Program through Sea
Grant. Priority HMS fisheries research questions remain unanswered in
the Pacific region, but there are no dedicated Federal programs to
address life history and other questions central to ensuring
international management is sustainable.
We are very grateful that Congress included Pacific HMS research
grants alongside the existing Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico HMS research
programs within the FY22 Senate Commerce Justice Science report.
Additional funding should be provided to ensure that Pacific HMS
research needs are addressed alongside the existing HMS priorities in
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Request.--We urge the subcommittee to provide an additional $2
million and report language to NOAA to support independent HMS research
grants for the Pacific region to address key science in support of
sustainable international management.
Corresponding Report Language Request:
Highly Migratory Species: Migratory Species (HMS)
Research Initiative for Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of
Mexico HMS. The Committee notes lack of funding for
Pacific HMS independent research that supports
ecologically and economically important species such as
tuna, swordfish, marlin, and pelagic sharks. Within
funding for the Sea Grant program, the Committee
provides $2,000,000 over FY22 for research grants to
non-federal entities to improve science-based
management of domestic and international HMS in the
Pacific region.
Bycatch Reduction.--We recommend that the subcommittee include an
increase of $2 million over FY22 funding for bycatch reduction
competitive grants to non-federal researchers for the development and
implementation of practical bycatch solutions that support sustainable
U.S. fisheries. The program was again funded at the same level in FY22.
We request that the subcommittee increase funding for NOAA's bycatch
reporting and reduction programs to accelerate technology improvements
and help U.S. fishermen achieve greater environmental sustainability
while protecting living marine resources, particularly endangered,
protected and threatened species.
Seafood Import Monitoring Program.--We support an additional $5
million for NMFS to implement the Seafood Import Monitoring Program
(SIMP). Increasing funding for NMFS and specifically for SIMP
implementation is essential for safeguarding the integrity of seafood
imports in the U.S. and leveling the playing field for U.S. fishermen
undercut by illegal, unreported, and unregulated seafood products in
the market.
Climate-Ready Fisheries.--The Aquarium supports advancing climate-
ready fisheries management in the Fiscal Year 2023 Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. This should include
full funding for NOAA's Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative
and enhanced support for fisheries surveys. We specifically request the
following investments to support climate-ready fisheries:
1. National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries and Ecosystem
Science Programs and Services: $180 million, of which $10
million is dedicated to Climate-Informed Fisheries Assessment
and Management Strategies for Changing Oceans;
2. National Marine Fisheries Service, Fisheries Data Collections,
Surveys, and Assessments: $212 million; and
3. Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Climate Competitive Research:
$91.5 million, of which $10 million is dedicated to Marine
Ecosystem Responses to Climate Change.
Ocean Science and Technology.--The Aquarium collaborates with the
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) on science and
conservation issues of mutual interest. The success of our efforts to
harness cutting edge research to address challenging ocean-related
issues is dependent on a vibrant ocean science and technology
enterprise. To continue to generate science-based solutions to restore
our ocean, and support a robust U.S. role in global efforts, we urge
the subcommittee to bolster funding for essential new science and
technology. Through NOAA and the other relevant agencies, including NSF
and NASA, we recommend the subcommittee provide support for research
and technology development and ocean science.
NOAA Education.--The Aquarium is a long-time partner of NOAA's
Education programs. We also share NOAA Education's commitment to
ensuring diversity among our staff and within the professional spheres
of our field. NOAA's Jose E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program
(EPP) with Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) provides STEM education
and future workforce training, benefiting both the agency and other
organizations by creating a pool of diverse, qualified candidates for
the future workforce. We are proud to work with the EPP centers and
urge the subcommittee to provide additional funding for the EPP-MSI
program to support expansion of the EPP network, particularly to build
professional opportunities on the west coast, and build technical
capacity within the next generation to address emerging challenges.
National Marine Sanctuaries.--The Aquarium collaborates with the
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) program to provide
public education and research connected to the MBNMS and in support of
its living marine resources. We also support the designation of the
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, also in California's
waters. We recognize the constraints on this important program and
support an increase in appropriations for the NOAA Sanctuaries program,
including $87 million for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas within
NOAA's Operations, Research, and Facilities (ORF) account.
Marine Debris Program.--According to the 2021 National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report undertaken as
directed by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act enacted in 2020, ocean plastic
pollution continues to increase, as does the United States' role as a
major contributor in this global plastic crisis. The Aquarium urges the
subcommittee to provide $15 million for the Marine Debris Program (MDP)
to provide frontline services, funding, and science to meet the demands
of plastic pollution challenges along our coastline. Additional funding
above $15 million is necessary in order to meet two recommendations
generated by the NASEM report: (1) for the MDP Marine Debris Monitoring
and Assessment Project to conduct scientifically designed national
marine debris shoreline surveys every 5 years using standardized
protocols; and (2) for MDP to contribute to a Federal research and
policy strategy focused on identifying, implementing, and assessing
equitable and effective interventions across the entire plastic life
cycle to reduce the U.S. contribution of plastic waste to the
environment.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Margaret Spring, Chief
Conservation & Science Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the subcommittee:
On behalf of the National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, thank you for the
opportunity to submit testimony on the U.S. Census Bureau's budget for
fiscal year 2023. As you consider appropriations for fiscal Year 2023,
NALEO Educational Fund urges this subcommittee to provide $2 billion in
funding for the U.S. Census Bureau, which represents a $495 million
increase over the President's budget request and $646 million over the
agency's fiscal Year 2022 enacted level. We believe that the $2 billion
funding level is necessary to support the Bureau's efforts to address
and ameliorate the significant undercount of our Nation's Latino
population and other population groups in the 2020 Census. In addition,
we believe there needs to be more robust investment to enhance the
accuracy of other Bureau data products. Finally, a higher level of
funding would help the Bureau continue to assess and start to make the
fundamental changes needed to modernize the census and count all of our
Nation's residents fairly and accurately.
NALEO Educational Fund is the Nation's leading nonprofit
organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the
American political process, from citizenship to public service. Our
Board members and constituency encompass the Nation's more than 7,000
Latino elected and appointed officials, and include Republicans,
Democrats, and Independents. Since the 1990 Census, our organization
has conducted outreach campaigns to promote the full and accurate count
of the Latino community. In addition, NALEO Educational Fund is a
leading expert on Census policy development, with a long record of
service on the Bureau's National Advisory Committees. The organization
serves as co-chair of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human
Rights' Census Task Force, a Steering Committee member of the Census
Counts Campaign, and the co-chair of the National Hispanic Leadership
Agenda's Census Task Force.
addressing and ameliorating the severe undercount of
latinos in census 2020
In March, the Census Bureau released its initial findings from its
Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which revealed a massive 4.99 percent
national undercount of Latinos in Census 2020, which is more than
triple the percentage of Latinos undercounted in Census 2010. The PES
also revealed a 2.79 percent undercount of very young children (ages 0-
4); a 3.30 percent undercount for Blacks; and a 5.64 percent for
American Indians or Alaska Natives living on reservations. The
undercount of very young children, which increased more than threefold
from 2010, is very salient for the Latino population and the Nation as
a whole. First, the 2020 Census shows that slightly more than one in
four children under 18-years-old is Latino (25.7 percent). In addition,
2016 research spearheaded by demographer Dr. William O'Hare found that
the net undercount rate in 2010 for very young Latino children (ages 0-
4) was 7.1 percent, compared to 4.3 percent for non-Latinos--with
Census 2010 missing nearly 400,000 very young Latino children. While
more research is needed to determine the undercount of very young
Latino children in Census 2020, the initial PES findings raise serious
concerns about the size and scope of this undercount.
The historic undercount of Latinos and other population groups has
serious implications for the full range of programs, activities, and
decisions for which census data are used. These data guide the
distribution of more than $1.5 trillion in annual Federal funding to
States and localities, and flawed data will lead to a potential
misallocation of resources that could have a detrimental effect on our
schools, healthcare systems, infrastructure, and programs essential for
the future prosperity and well-being of Latino families and all of our
Nation's residents. The undercount of Latinos and other people of color
could also dramatically erode the ability of government agencies to
monitor and enforce civil rights protections. As a result, our Nation
could see existing ethnic and socio-economic inequities in areas such
as employment, education, housing, and health care grow far worse.
The undercount of Latinos and other people of color could also lead
to a vast number of unsound decisions being made in the public and
private sector. Furthermore, data from Census 2020 have already been
used to apportion the U.S. House of Representatives and for
redistricting, despite the fact that such data do not reflect the
actual growth of the Latino population. Without a thorough
understanding of the factors which contributed to the Census 2020
undercount, we cannot take the action needed to improve the accuracy of
the Census 2030 data which will be used for apportionment and
redistricting at the start of the next decade.
Our funding request for fiscal year 2023 would help support the
Bureau's efforts to continue to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the
effect of the undercount on the Latino community and the implications
of the undercount for all of the activities for which census data are
used. This would include the Bureau's continued work to examine options
to ameliorate the undercount.
Additionally, in May, the Bureau released PES estimates for the
undercount of the total population in each State and the District of
Columbia. These estimates indicated statistically significant
undercounts in six States (Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi,
Tennessee and Texas), but did not include demographic characteristics
such as age, race and Hispanic origin. In addition, the estimates were
not available for geographies below the state level. Moreover, the PES
state estimates are net figures derived in part from both the 2020
Census omissions and persons overcounted in the enumeration. Thus, the
persons overcounted in the state may mask the impact of the persons
missed in the enumeration and other significant problems with the
overall accuracy of state census data.
Based on our work with and research on historically undercounted
communities, we believe it is likely that Census 2020's accuracy varied
in different regions of the States. For example, areas with large
concentrations of Latinos, Black residents, and young children are
likely to have had the highest undercounts, while places with large
concentrations of non-Hispanic whites and wealthy residents likely had
overcounts. However, without specific Latino undercount data and data
on other population groups throughout each State, we cannot determine
precisely where and to what extent these population groups were missed.
We understand the Census Bureau's position that the PES sample size
is not adequate enough to produce data that meet the Bureau's standards
for every demographic group in each State or many localities in the
Nation. Thus, our funding request would support much-needed Bureau
efforts to research and make available data from other sources that
could help illuminate the accuracy of Census 2020 data for various
demographic groups and localities. Finally, our funding request would
also enhance the Bureau's ability to engage stakeholders in its efforts
to evaluate the implications of the National undercounts and the state
PES estimates for different population groups, examine options to
mitigate the effect of the undercounts on funding formulas and the fair
allocation of resources, and plan for Census 2030.
strengthening population estimates and the american community survey
The Bureau's Population Estimates play a critical role in
determining the allocation of Federal funding, and the next annual
series of Population Estimates is the basis for all subsequent annual
estimates for the next decade. The Bureau will use Census 2020 data in
its determination of the next annual series of Population Estimates and
given the severe undercount of Latinos and other population groups, the
agency needs resources to strengthen the accuracy of the next annual
series. This funding would also support expanded and enhanced
opportunities for cities, counties, towns, Tribal governments, and
other localities to help ensure the accuracy of their annual estimates,
through the Population Estimates Challenge Program and other
activities. This will help ensure that trillions of Federal funds over
the decade can reach the communities needing them the most.
In addition, we believe that the American Community Survey (ACS) is
in dire need of additional resources to implement several critical
enhancements to the survey. The ACS provides updated data on a wide
range of demographic and housing characteristics that are crucial for
sound public and private decision-making which affects all aspects of
the lives of Latinos, including income, employment status, educational
attainment, language proficiency, and nativity. Additional funding
would help with such enhancements as increasing the ACS' sample size,
improving its non-response follow up operations, addressing steadily
declining response rates, revising content, and making other
methodological and operational improvements.
modernizing the census
The massive net national undercount of our Nation's Latino
population and other people of color in the 2020 Census demonstrates
the need for the Census Bureau to make fundamental changes to how it
counts the U.S. population. It can no longer simply rely on the
traditional methods of mailing forms out to households and encouraging
the public to respond. Thus, our funding request also aims at providing
the Census Bureau resources for the purpose of informing its planning
for future census data collection programs and surveys. Modernizing the
census will involve research, evaluation and testing of a broad range
of initiatives and approaches, including modernizing the Bureau's
information technology infrastructure, and assessing the use of machine
learning and Big Data methodology.
In addition, as part of its modernization activities, the Bureau
intends to examine the expanded use of administrative records for
various purposes. However, these records have serious limitations with
respect to the accuracy and completeness of information on Latinos and
other people of color, young children, low-income residents, and other
underrepresented populations. Thus, the Bureau needs resources to
continue to assess the appropriate use of administrative records for
its data compilation and analysis activities.
Finally, the Bureau's efforts to modernize the census could result
in approaches that would enable the agency to achieve cost-savings for
its Census 2030 operations. However, the agency must start several
years before Census 2030 to thoroughly test and evaluate these
approaches if they are to be used in a sound and effective manner.
Thus, more robust funding for the Bureau in FY 2023 is an investment
which would lead to more efficient and cost-effective operations in the
next enumeration.
conclusion
Census data are the basis of our representative democracy, and our
Nation's well-being and prosperity depend in part on the accuracy of
the data collected by the Census Bureau. These data guide a wide range
of decisions made in the public and private sectors that affect the
lives of all Americans. Latinos are the Nation's second-largest
population group, and the Bureau cannot produce accurate data on all of
our country's residents without accurate data on Latinos. However, as
the PES undercount estimates indicate, the Bureau faced significant
challenges in accurately enumerating Latinos and other population
groups, and these challenges have important implications for other
Census activities and products. In addition, evolving demographic,
economic, technological and statistical trends require the Bureau to
continue its work to modernize the census. We believe that the $2
billion level of funding we are requesting for fiscal Year 2023 will
help the Bureau carry out a more robust range of activities to make
progress in providing the most accurate data possible for our Nation.
We appreciate this subcommittee's attention to these important matters
and look forward to working with you and other Members of Congress to
achieve this important goal.
[This statement was submitted by Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive
Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of the National Congress of American Indians
On behalf of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), this
testimony addresses important programs in the U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), and the National
Science Foundation (NSF). As the most representative organization of
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal Nations, NCAI serves
the broad interests of Tribal governments across the United States. As
Congress considers the FY 2023 budget and beyond, leaders of Tribal
Nations call on decision-makers to ensure that the promises made to
Indian Country are honored in the Federal budget.
department of justice
The public safety problems that continue to plague Tribal
communities are the result of decades of gross underfunding for Tribal
criminal justice systems, a uniquely complex jurisdictional scheme, and
the historic, abject failure by the Federal Government to fulfill its
public safety obligations on AI/AN lands. Crime rates in Tribal
communities are among the highest in the Nation, and AI/ANs experience
rates of violent crime that are 2.5 times the National average. The
2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act reaffirms the
jurisdiction of all Tribal Nations to prosecute certain crimes.
Congress must now appropriate and streamline public safety funds to
ensure that Tribal Nations can implement their jurisdiction and
increase safety in Tribal communities.
Include Tribal governments in disbursements from the Crime Victims
Fund (CVF)--a mandatory account. The CVF is the Federal Government's
primary funding source for providing services to victims of crime, and
we express our sincere gratitude to appropriators for providing direct
funding to Tribal governments from the CVF for the past 5 years. For
this funding to fully achieve its purpose, Tribal Nations need the
disbursements from the CVF to be recurring in order to ensure long term
program stability for victims. We urge this subcommittee to direct an
amount equal to 5 percent of overall CVF disbursements to Tribal
Nations again this year.
Create a streamlined Tribal allocation across Office of Justice
Programs (OJP) programs. For several years, both this subcommittee and
its Senate counterpart have supported requests to streamline and
consolidate OJP Tribal programs by allocating 7 percent from all
discretionary OJP programs to address Indian Country public safety and
Tribal justice needs. Despite the subcommittees' support, the request
has never been enacted. One of the biggest shortcomings of DOJ Tribal
funding is that it is administered as competitive funding that must fit
with DOJ established priorities and guidelines. This requires Tribal
Nations--on behalf of their Tribal justice systems--to compete against
each other and develop projects that align with changing DOJ
priorities. Often, Tribal Nations cannot count on funding continuing
beyond the current grant period further limiting the ability to
effectively address public safety in the long term. A streamlined OJP
Tribal allocation would significantly improve the Federal funding
process by which Tribal Nations receive resources to establish Tribal
courts, assist in developing detention facilities, provide legal
assistance, develop and maintain juvenile delinquency prevention
programs, and provide substance abuse prevention programs. Further,
this type of Tribal allocation would give Tribal Nations the
flexibility to develop a detailed strategic plan on how best to spend
those resources. We urge the subcommittees to continue to support this
request and work with the appropriate authorizing committees to include
it.
Increase funding for Tribal law enforcement programs under DOJ's
Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to $52 million.
Since the creation of the COPS Office, more than 2,000 grants totaling
over $400 million have been awarded to Tribal Nations to hire more than
1,700 new or redeployed law enforcement officers. COPS grants have also
helped Tribal Nations to obtain necessary law enforcement training,
equipment, vehicles, and technology. Yet, there is still a tremendous
unmet need within Tribal justice systems for more COPS funding. The
COPS Office has acknowledged that due to limited resources, it has not
been able to adequately fund Tribal justice systems particularly in the
area of hiring and retaining Tribal law enforcement officers. In a
report released in December 2010, the COPS Office described its
practice of intermittent funding as ``problematic,'' especially ``when
referring to hiring of officers.\1\'' Indian Country urges Congress to
significantly increase funding for Tribal law enforcement programs
under the COPS program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ U.S. Department of Justice, COPS Office report to Congress as
required by Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, available at: https://
www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/tribal/legacy/2014/02/06/cops-
congress-report.pdf, Accessed: May 13, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fully fund the programs authorized in the Violence Against Women
Act (VAWA), including the funds authorized for Tribal implementation of
VAWA Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction. Over 85 percent of AI/AN
women are estimated to experience violent victimization in their
lifetimes. The DOJ Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) provides
funding to Tribal governments to address violence against women in
their communities. OVW's largest source of funding for Tribal
governments is the Grants to Tribal Governments Program, which is
funded via statutory allocations from other OVW programs. Fully funding
these OVW programs results in full funding for the Grants to Tribal
Governments Program.
The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA 2022)
recognized and affirmed the inherent sovereign authority of all Tribal
Nations to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) over
all persons--Indian and non-Indian--who commit certain crimes within
Indian country and designated lands. VAWA 2022 included a new STCJ
pilot program for Alaska Native Villages and increased authorization
levels to support Tribal public safety in Alaska and in the lower 48.
The law authorizes $25 million a year for 5 years for Tribal Nations to
implement the STCJ, receive reimbursements for certain costs, and
strengthen Tribal justice systems. We urge this subcommittee to
appropriate the full amount authorized for VAWA 2022 implementation
purposes so that more Tribal communities are able to take advantage of
this lifesaving law.
department of commerce
Beginning in February 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
published monthly data on AI/AN employment, using data that was
previously available through the U.S. Census Bureau's Current
Population Survey. The newly published data reveals a labor market that
would be considered catastrophic if it were representative of the full
U.S. economy-Indian Country has an unemployment rate more than double
national rate.\2\ The data further highlights that Indian Country is
still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, with unemployment
rates reaching 28.6% during the peak of the pandemic fallout--an amount
comparable to the National unemployment rate during the Great
Depression.\3\ As of January 2022, the unemployment rate for Native
Americans was still greater than the peak unemployment rate for white
workers during the pandemic.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Robert Maxim, Randall Akee, and Gabriel R. Sanchez, For the
first time, the government published monthly unemployment data on
Native Americans, and the picture is stark, available at: https://
www.brookings.edu/articles/despite-an-optimistic-jobs-report-new-data-
shows-native-american-unemployment-remains-staggeringly-high/
#::text=Prior%20to%20the%20pandemic
%2C%20Native,unemployment%20during%20the%20Great%20Depression,
Accessed: May 4, 2022.
\3\ Id.
\4\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even when controlling for a host of factors, the Brookings
Institute posits that structural racism in the U.S. economy affects AI/
AN access to education and attainment as well as employment
opportunities.\5\ As traditionally place-based peoples with strong
cultural and historical ties to the land, AI/ANs do not tend to move
away regardless of economic situations. This means that the structural
impediments to economic growth are focused and exacerbated on Tribal
lands, underscoring the importance of Federal investment through
regular Federal appropriations. Unfortunately, cross-referencing Office
of Management and Budget data with Appropriations Committee reports
reveals that regular appropriations for the benefit of Native Americans
represents approximately 0.19% of total regular appropriations budget
authority in the fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus. With Federal investment
metrics such as these, it is no surprise that Indian Country is in a
State of catastrophe by national standards. These broken promises of
the United States dampen local, regional, and national U.S. economic
productivity and negatively impact the safety and wellbeing of
Americans--Native and non-Native alike.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The U.S. Department of Commerce administers programs that could
greatly benefit Indian Country, for example, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), International
Trade Administration, Economic Development Administration, Minority
Business Development Agency (MBDA), Census Bureau, and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the funding for
these programs benefiting Native Americans must increase from the
trickle of past years to a more robust distribution for broadband
deployment, economic and business development assistance, trade and
tourism promotion, fisheries programs, and Tribal government data
collection and analysis capacity.
This subcommittee can correct this investment deficiency by
providing: at least $1 billion to NTIA's Tribal Broadband Connectivity
Grant Program to reduce the backlog of at least $5 billion of
identified, unfunded broadband projects; $70 million to continue
supporting MBDA Business Specialty Centers, and set aside at least $5
million in grants for Native American business and procurement
assistance; $5 million for the Office of Native American Business
Development (ONABD) to coordinate within Commerce and with other
Federal agencies to promote and support Native American business
development, trade, and tourism; at least $110 million for the Pacific
Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund; $25.9 million for NOAA Mitchell Act
Hatchery Programs; and at least $100 million for Census Bureau grants
to Tribal Nations to improve internal government data capacity.
national science foundation
NSF has dedicated funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities
(TCUs) and other research activities related to arctic social sciences
to promote high-quality science and educational opportunities in social
and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, computer sciences, as well
as supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
and STEM education, research, and outreach. As traditionally place-
based peoples with strong cultural and historical ties to the land,
investments in TCUs promote economic growth, education, career
training, social wellbeing, and cultural preservation directly within
Native communities. Similar to many Federal investments through the
regular appropriations process, cross-referencing Office of Management
and Budget data with Appropriations Committee reports reveals that
regular appropriations for NSF for the benefit of Native Americans
represents approximately 0.27% of total regular appropriations budget
authority in the FY 2022 Omnibus.
This subcommittee must increase its investment into Native Higher
Education by providing $100 million for the Tribal Colleges and
Universities Program, which includes funding for Alaska Native-Serving
institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and $10 million
for the Arctic Social Sciences Program to support research on social
and cultural systems of the Arctic, present and past.
conclusion
Tribal Nations are uniquely reliant on the Federal Government to
fulfill its promises made in exchange for the land that created the
foundation of the bounty and wealth of the United States. Our people
have paid for every penny obligated to Indian Country hundreds of times
over by providing this Nation with our land. In order to uphold this
Nation's promises to its people, it must first uphold its promises to
this land's First Peoples. We expect to continue to be treated as
sovereign nations with governmental parity. We must continue down that
path of Nation-to-Nation growth, and only then will all of our people
be able to fully flourish.
For more information, please contact Kelbie Kennedy, Policy Manager
and Policy Lead--National Security and Community Safety, at
[email protected]; C.C. Wright, Policy Lead--Community Development &
Infrastructure, at [email protected]; Julia Wakeford, Policy Lead--
Social and Cultural Resources at [email protected]; or Tyler Scribner,
Policy Lead--Federal Revenue & Appropriations, [email protected].
[This statement was submitted by Dante Desiderio, Chief Executive
Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children
Chairman Leahy, Chair Shaheen, Vice Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member
Moran, and Members of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit remarks
on the Department of Justice (DOJ) FY 2023 budget including funding of
the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program through the Office
of Justice Programs' State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance
Account.
CASA/GAL advocacy is a well-established model strongly associated
with improved long-term outcomes for child victims, for which the need
continues to be critical. With Congressional support at the requested
level of $15 million, the CASA/GAL network in 49 States and the
District of Columbia will enhance and advance specialized training,
tools, and resources to continue delivering vital one-on-one best-
interest advocacy that addresses the complex and ever-evolving needs of
children who have suffered trauma after experiencing abuse or neglect
by one or more primary caregivers.
Emerging issues such as the commercial sexual exploitation of
children and our Nation's growing opioid epidemic--for which children
account for an increasing number of victims--both necessitate a greater
specialization within one-on-one advocacy, with a keen and deliberate
focus on progressing toward the call within the Victims of Child Abuse
Act to serve every child victim. As we enrich CASA/GAL advocacy to
encompass evolving direct service needs, our National network will
further strengthen its capacity to serve over 250,000 child victims of
abuse and neglect.
Child victimization and maltreatment by primary caregivers remains
all too prevalent in our country and the negative impacts on children,
their families and society are significant. Traumatized victims of
child abuse and neglect face significant and multiple risk factors,
most notably, juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, and poor
educational performance that affects future employment and stability.
These issues result in a hefty impact on federal, State and local
spending-at least one-quarter of the DOJ budget is dedicated to our
Nation's prison system, and at the same time, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the economic and social costs of
child abuse and neglect to total $124 billion nationwide per annum.
Local CASA/GAL programs offer an effective service to child victims of
abuse and neglect that improves outcomes, increases the efficient
functioning of our court systems, and saves millions in Federal and
State taxpayer dollars annually in the process.
CASA/GAL programs are, at the heart of their operation, a highly
effective leveraging of community-based resources to provide dedicated
and sustained one-on-one advocacy for child victims and advise the
courts of the child's best interests and needs throughout abuse and
neglect proceedings. Research has shown that the presence of a caring,
consistent adult in the life of a child victim is associated with
improved long-term outcomes. These efforts, which focus on helping the
child find a safe, permanent home where they can both heal and thrive,
require thorough background screening, specialized training, and
resources to promote a nationwide system of programs that adhere to and
assure the highest quality of services and care for the child victim.
CASA Program funds through DOJ achieve and uphold national standard
setting, assessment, accountability, and evaluation across 950 local,
State, and Tribal programs to promote improved child outcomes and
effective stewardship of public investments in victim advocacy.
Evidence-based practices, intensive technical assistance, direct
program guidance and partnerships, and national program standards and
quality assurance processes all lie at the foundation of effective
CASA/GAL program service delivery in communities across the Nation.
Given the nature of the CASA/GAL advocates' intensive work with
child victims of abuse and neglect, standards of rigorous screening,
training, supervision, and service are implemented nationwide, with
Congressional support, to ensure consistent quality for victims who
directly benefit from having their needs and rights championed in the
courtroom and in the community. Comprehensive pre-service, in-service,
and issue-focused training curricula--including training in
disproportionality, cultural competency, and working with older youth--
ensures a cutting edge approach to victim services centered on the
child thriving well into the future as a member of the community.
Federal support is foundational to the solid and high-quality
functioning of a national child advocacy network for victims of abuse
and neglect.
As the needs of child victims of abuse and neglect grow and change,
so must the specialization of one-on-one advocacy and services by CASA/
GAL programs. Since the Victims of Child Abuse Act was passed, the
landscape of victims' services for children has evolved significantly.
Researchers and practitioners know more now than ever about trauma, and
its associated impacts on child development, as well as the significant
and multiple risk factors and issues faced by abused and neglected
children such as mental health/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
commercial sex trafficking, overmedication, and the growing effects of
substance abuse and the opioid epidemic in particular. Further, we know
that youth of color in particular face very significant challenges--in
addition to victimization--on their path to a thriving adulthood. CASA/
GAL advocates bring one-on-one attention and a dedicated focus to each
of the issues that the child victim faces, but additional resources are
needed to enhance and build their knowledge base as part of a
continuous advocacy development process.
These complex issues warrant adaptive and responsive training,
technical assistance, and resources, while continuing on a trajectory
of maintaining quality care and services within current CASA/GAL
caseloads and also simultaneously building the capacity to take on
additional cases when appointed by the court. National CASA/GAL
Association is committed to continuous improvement of training,
technical assistance, and resource delivery to strengthen and support
local CASA/GAL programs and state organizations to help advocates
remain at the forefront of emerging child welfare issues.
Federal support at the requested level is instrumental to bridging
advocacy training and best practice tools into multiple and new
emerging issue areas including child sex trafficking, substance abuse
and opioid-overuse, and the overmedication of child victims, for
example. Advocates need to be well versed in warning signs for these
issues, as well as the available services, resources, and coordination
of community and court efforts in order to best address the child
victim's case.
FY 2023 funding of $15 million will be targeted to fortifying
resources and training generally for CASA/GAL programs, and in key
focus areas including commercial sexual exploitation, children impacted
by substance abuse disorders, children of incarcerated parents and
young people aging out of foster care, based upon existing best
practices and models. In addition, this Federal funding will be used to
target resources to serve over 250,000 child victims of abuse and
neglect, and continue efforts toward the development of strong state
CASA/GAL organizations in the States currently under resourced, that
will enhance support of program service delivery in local communities.
Additional projects include sustaining development of training on best
practices in addressing the needs of children impacted by the opioid
epidemic and other forms of substance abuse, child sex trafficking,
unaccompanied children and addressing racial disproportionality in
child welfare and the need for racially and culturally sensitive
recruitment and matching of CASA/GAL advocates.
According to the most recent government data available, the number
of child maltreatment cases was 656,000 in 2019. This remains a
significant population with equally significant and complex issues and
risk factors. Without the benefit of a specially trained CASA/GAL
advocate that is able to devote dedicated time and attention to the
details of the case, the child victim faces a complex court process and
child welfare system that is overwhelmed, under resourced and
challenging to navigate. Our ability as a national network to serve
every child victim of abuse and neglect is directly tied to
strengthening and expanding a foundational and interwoven program of
advocate training, technical assistance, standards, tools, and
resources that are funded with DOJ support.
While children who are the victims of maltreatment have suffered
deep layers of trauma, these experiences do not have to be their only
life story. Juvenile detention and adult incarceration do not have to
be the path to their future. Substance abuse, PTSD, homelessness, and
joblessness do not have to be the basis of their experiences. We can
change their trajectory, together, with Congressional support.
Caring, dedicated, and extensively trained CASA/GAL advocates bring
about positive changes in the lives of child victims. Full funding is
needed to continue expanding the advocate pipeline, enhance the
training, resources, and services provided to and through CASA/GAL
programs, and strengthen outcomes for future members of our Nation's
workforce.
We urge the subcommittee to allocate $15 million for the Court
Appointed Special Advocates Program to address the overwhelming need
for dedicated advocacy on behalf of child victims of abuse and neglect.
Thank you for your consideration.
[This statement was submitted by Tara L. Perry, Chief Executive
Officer]
______
Prepared Statement of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran and Members of the subcommittee:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding FY 2023
funding that impacts the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
We respectfully request your approval of robust funding throughout the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) budget,
particularly for the National Ocean Service and National Marine
Fisheries Service to allow for continued and expanding partnerships
that deliver high quality ocean and coastal conservation.
NFWF and NOAA have been strong partners since 1996 and the
Foundation continues to administer programs with NOAA that address
ongoing and emerging issues. We believe that NFWF is a sound investment
because of our proven track record for leveraging Federal funding with
private contributions to maximize the impact Federal resources can
achieve. We appreciate the subcommittee's past support and respectfully
request continued funding for the following programs and partnerships.
national coastal resilience
Resilient communities are better prepared to adapt to changing
natural resource conditions, infrastructure threats and impacts to
local economies. NFWF and NOAA working together through the National
Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) provide communities with invaluable
resources for restoring, enhancing, and strengthening natural
infrastructure--the natural features that help reduce the impacts of
coastal storms and floods--protecting communities while also enhancing
habitats for fish and wildlife, addressing climate change, and
sequestering carbon. NFWF also leads significant monitoring and
evaluation efforts that measure the enhanced resilience of the restored
coastal systems, including carbon sequestration. This helps improve our
understanding of which activities are associated with the greatest and
most cost-effective reductions in storm risk and storm damage.
Through the NCRF in 2021, NFWF, NOAA, and other partners awarded
$40.5 million in new grants that will support projects in 28 States and
U.S. territories. The 49 grants announced will generate more than $58.3
million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of
nearly $98.8 million. These investments will support the restoration or
expansion of natural features such as coastal marshes and wetlands,
dune and beach systems, oyster and coral reefs, coastal rivers, and
barrier islands that minimize the impacts of storms, flooding and other
coastal hazards. In addition to NOAA, 2021 partners included the
Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico
Office, TransRe, AT&T and Shell USA, Inc. These partners pooled
resources to promote projects that advance innovative approaches to
protect communities against regional threats resulting from climate
change.
The demand for this program's financial resources continues to
significantly exceed the amount of annual funding available - in 2021,
NFWF received 269 proposals seeking more than $178 million in funding,
with only $41 million in available resources to meet this need. NFWF
expects that demand will only increase as climate related risks
increase and more communities develop capacity to utilize nature-based
infrastructure to protect lives and infrastructure from these risks.
The Foundation fully expects that even with additional funding provided
from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that demand will continue
to greatly surpass available funding.
fisheries electronic monitoring and reporting
Since 2010, NFWF has invested significantly in fisheries around the
U.S. to catalyze projects that are modernizing the way vital fisheries
data are collected, shared, and analyzed. High quality, timely and
accurate fisheries information is critical to maintaining sustainable
U.S. fisheries. Fishermen and seafood marketers are increasingly using
information about their fishing activity to improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of their operations and to satisfy their customer demands
for legally and sustainably caught seafood.
From 2015 to 2021, the Electronic Monitoring and Reporting (EMR)
grant program has funded $25.1 million across 75 projects that
modernize U.S. fisheries data collection and received $26.3 million in
matching funds to leverage these investments. Innovation and technology
have the potential to reduce the cost of fishery monitoring; increase
the speed, reliability and transparency of fisheries data; and enable
managers and fishermen to address management challenges more
effectively. EMR isn't one size fits all. NFWF projects represent a
cross section of the advancements being made around the U.S. in
fisheries management.
coral reef conservation
Since 2000, NFWF has partnered with NOAA, FWS, and USDA-NRCS to
respond to the alarming decline in both the quantity and productivity
of the Nation's coral reef ecosystems through multiple coral
conservation initiatives that aim to improve management, increase
public awareness, and reduce threats to coral reefs. NFWF works with
local, State, territorial, Federal and regional partners to achieve its
goals in coral conservation and bolsters multi-agency initiatives like
the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative. The
program supports reef resiliency by reducing local stressors from
unsustainable harvest and land-based pollution. In 2020 the program
added a new funding priority to build capacity for direct reef
restoration efforts and launched a separate emergency funding
solicitation to respond to events like Stoney Coral Tissue Loss Disease
which can be time sensitive.
Since the creation of NFWF's coral program in 2000, the program has
awarded $22 million across 408 projects, leveraging more than $29
million in conservation resources. Funds have assisted broad-scale
coral reef management by establishing new techniques for assessing and
monitoring reef health and new fishery management models. Site-specific
initiatives have developed and implemented watershed management plans,
reduced sediment erosion through stream bank stabilization, provided
incentives or best management practices on agricultural lands, and
supported capacity-building of management and conservation
organizations to sustain conservation outcomes.
killer whale conservation
NFWF partners with NOAA's Office of Protected Resources, SeaWorld
Entertainment and BNSF Railway on the Killer Whale Research and
Conservation Program to aid in the recovery of the Southern Resident
killer whale population in the Pacific Northwest. The program
prioritizes the highest impact activities called for in the recovery
plan as more funding is sought to fund additional actions beyond
traditional management and conservation measures.
In the first 7 years, the program has awarded 46 grants totaling
$5.3 million, drawing an additional $9.2 million in grantee match for a
total conservation investment of more than $14.5 million. These awards
have fostered collaborative efforts in the three priority action areas
of recovery to increase prey availability through restoration of
important salmon runs; improve water quality and reduce disturbance in
critical habitat; and fill critical research gaps in health,
demographics and stressors. All three strategies work to partner
science with management action and restoration activities. NFWF has
taken a comprehensive food-web approach to recovering this apex
predator and works with state and transboundary managers to implement
recovery actions. DoD is expected to join this program in 2022 to
further advance the food-web approach.
papahanaumokuakea research and conservation
NFWF's and NOAA's partnership on the Papahanaumokuakea Research and
Conservation Fund provides coordinated and collaborative research and
conservation in support of effectively managing the species and
habitats in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. One of the
key challenges for NOAA and its partners managing this expansive area
is its remote location. Past agency funding only allowed for a single
voyage to the Marine Monument in the Pacific Ocean to address multiple
needs and locations per year, making it difficult to do the in-depth
studies managers need. NFWF and NOAA initiated a new model for
investments to go deeper, learn more and further expand the existing
program and research dollars that are currently invested to maximize
the conservation impact.
The partnership supports collaborative research and conservation
actions to galvanize funding around a critical management theme. For
example, prioritized research on the algae Chondria is helping managers
explore mitigation of the recent unprecedented algae invasion while
support of marine debris removal cruises works to remove the
significant amounts of debris accumulating in the monument. Throughout
all investments, the program seeks to maximize conservation impact,
management capacity and cultural and outreach opportunities.
marine debris
NFWF and NOAA have several ways in which we are working together to
combat the problem of Marine Debris. Starting over two decades ago,
NFWF administered a Marine Debris Program to help NOAA's new program
understand the scope of marine debris across the Nation by advancing
science around sources, sinks and impacts to both habitats and
wildlife. These early efforts transitioned into the Fishing for Energy
program which prioritized removal and prevention of derelict fishing
gear as one of the most destructive types of marine debris. This
programmatic funding and disposal infrastructure has helped to expand
and institutionalize marine debris removal and disposal efforts in
several coastal States and port communities.
Building off this extensive experience, in 2020 NOAA asked NFWF to
assist in administering approximately $10 million in 2019 supplemental
funding to remove damaging marine debris from coastal areas of
communities impacted by hurricanes Florence and Michael, and Typhoon
Yutu and reduce impacts to communities, industry and further harm to
habitats and fish and wildlife populations. The Hurricane Response
Marine Debris Removal Fund is a partnership between NFWF and the NOAA
Marine Debris Program that awards grants to assess, remove and dispose
of marine debris caused by severe storms. Grants are awarded based on
the targeted debris' existing or potential impact to coastal
communities and resources, and to prevent further harm to sensitive
marine habitats and species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA has again requested assistance with administration of the 2021
supplemental funding which will award grants in 2022.
nfwf background
NFWF was established by Congress in 1984 to catalyze private
investments to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitats. In addition,
every dollar directly appropriated to NFWF by Congress goes to on-the-
ground conservation projects and NFWF charges no administrative costs.
NFWF raises private funds not only to leverage Federal dollars, but
also to support the associated management costs of implementing the
Federal funds. Since Congress created the foundation in 1984, NFWF and
its grantees have invested $7.4 billion in to more than 20,400 projects
while partnering with 6,000+ organizations.
NFWF remains fully transparent and is required by law to notify
Congress 30 days in advance of every grant that exceeds $10,000 in
Federal funds. Details of all projects awarded during FY 2021 can be
found in NFWF's annual investment guide and all NFWF's grants can be
found on our website: https://www.nfwf.org/grants/grants-libary.
In FY 2021, NFWF was audited by an independent accounting firm, and
they issued an unqualified report with no material weaknesses
identified and no deficiencies identified. This is the THIRTEENTH
consecutive year of unqualified audits. In addition, NFWF has
continually qualified as a low-risk auditee under OMB guidelines.
In FY 2021, through discretionary cooperative agreements, NFWF
partnered with 15 Federal and State agencies or departments and more
than 30 corporations and foundations to support implementation of
Federal conservation priorities. These efforts focused on working
landscapes, private lands, natural resource conservation, coastal
resilience and community-based restoration.
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran and members of the
subcommittee, we appreciate your continued support and stand ready to
answer any questions you or your staff might have.
[This statement was submitted by Will Heaton Director, External
Relations]
______
Prepared Statement of National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)
NLADA is America's oldest and largest national organization whose
resources are exclusively dedicated to excellence in the delivery of
legal services. Our comments concern the Legal Services Corporation
(LSC) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) programs.
legal services corporation
Civil legal problems jeopardize the housing, income, physical
safety and other basic human needs of millions of Americans every year.
When people have access to legal help, these problems are often
resolved positively, but people who are forced to face courts and
complex legal processes alone are more likely to experience severe
consequences that create deep unnecessary hardship for themselves and
their families. The latter is unfortunately the reality for a large
majority of low-income Americans, and the problem is growing. In 2017,
LSC published data showing that low-income Americans received no help
or inadequate help with 86 percent of their civil legal problems. This
is because despite overwhelming evidence for both the effectiveness of
civil legal aid, and the considerable social and economic return on
investment that it produces,\1\ our country has failed in recent years
to provide a level of resources for legal aid that is remotely
commensurate with the level of need.
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\1\ Moore, L. and Phyper, M., Aug 2019, Return on Investment in
Civil Justice Services and Programs; Selected Annotated Bibliography of
Existing Research; Canadian Forum on Civil Justice; see pages p10-26.
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While we are grateful to Congress for providing modest increases in
funding in recent years, this has not been sufficient to address the
current resource shortfall, because prior funding losses were never
rectified. Demonstratively, the appropriation level for FY2019 was the
exact dollar amount as it was in FY1994. Therefore, simply as a result
of inflation LSC is badly underfunded compared to its level almost
three decades ago, and for much of that period it was considerably
lower in real terms also. This historical understanding underpins the
current crisis, but present conditions have deepened it considerably.
In April, LSC released new data showing the extent to which this has
occurred. Last year, low-income Americans received little or no legal
help with 92 percent--more than nine in ten--of their civil legal
problems.\2\
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\2\ Legal Services Corporation, Apr 2022, The Justice Gap: The
Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans.
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This is not because people are simply uneducated about the
availability of legal help, though this is true for many. Rather,
people facing serious legal problems are seeking help but denied it
because their local legal aid organization does not have the resources
needed to assist: programs had to turn away 49 percent of eligible
clients seeking help, and could not fully resolve 44 percent of the
problems of the clients they could serve. Even prior to the release of
LSC's new data, NLADA calculated LSC would need to provide $1.36
billion for FY2023 in order to provide adequate service to every
eligible person seeking help from one of its grantees. This was based
in part on a projection of the level of need in FY2023, and in part on
our understanding that it is not possible to avoid addressing the
consequences of prior underfunding any longer.
An elevated level of legal need and demand for services.--The
severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, but it
has created lasting consequences for many of our country's poorest
families and the overall financial situation of low-income Americans is
becoming even more precarious. The Census Bureau Household Pulse survey
data collected at the start of April found increases of more than 30
percent in the number of households relying on credit or personal loans
to make ends meet, with far higher rates experienced by people of
color\3\. This limits the ability of families to resolve their problems
before they reach the stage at which legal assistance becomes
necessary.\4\ In particular, an eviction crisis that was blunted but
not halted \5\ by Federal eviction moratoria and emergency rental
assistance continues to create widespread unmet legal need. Household
Pulse data from the same period suggests that around 28 percent of
American households ``are not current on rent or mortgage where
eviction or foreclosure in the next 2 months is either very likely or
somewhat likely''.\6\ Eviction cases where tenants are represented are
overwhelmingly likely to resolve with the eviction avoided, but the
opposite is true when they are not,\7\ as is the case for 90 percent of
tenants.\8\
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\3\ Pete Gannon, Apr 26, 2022, Warnings Appear in Household
Finances, Axios.com.
\4\ This intersects with the economic hardship caused by the expiry
of the Federal child tax credit, which alone increased the number of
children in poverty by almost 4 million. See: Parolin, Z., Collyer, S.,
and Curran, M., Feb 17, 2022, Absence of Monthly Child Tax Credit Leads
to 3.7 Million More Children in Poverty in January 2022, Columbia
University Center on Poverty and Social Policy.
\5\ Tenants were often refused the opportunity to renew their
lease, which Federal moratoria did not protect against.
\6\ Data taken from week 44 of the Household Pulse survey, at:
https://www.census.gov/data- tools/demo/hhp/#/?measures=EVICTFOR.
\7\ For a review of recent studies finding this, see pages 50-53
in: The Economic Impact of an Eviction Right to Counsel in Baltimore
City; Prepared for The Public Justice Center, May 8, 2020, Stout Risius
Ross.
\8\ Desmond, M., Mar 2015, Unaffordable America: Poverty, housing,
and eviction, Fast Focus, Volume 22, Institute for Research on Poverty,
University of Madison-Wisconsin, p.5.
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Addressing the consequences of underfunding. The insufficiency of
resources provided for civil legal aid has forced many providers to
``triage'' clients, prioritizing the most urgent cases at the expense
of other worthy seekers of assistance. It has also come at the expense
of investing in other organizational needs that are nonetheless
required to provide adequate services. Most notably, compensation for
attorneys and other important staff at legal aid organizations is
currently not sufficient to recruit and retain the workforce they need.
The median starting salary for a legal services attorney in 2021 was
less than $55,000.\9\ Combined with the high student debt burden
required for a law degree, it is unaffordable for many to accept these
positions or remain over the long-term. Also affected by resource
limitations is the ability of organizations to educate their
communities about available services, contributing to the fact that 53
percent of people did not feel confident they could find a lawyer they
could afford to help with their legal problem.\10\
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\9\ National Association for Law Placement, Inc., Sept 2021,
Starting Salaries--Class of 2020.
\10\ Legal Services Corporation, Apr 2022, The Justice Gap: The
Unmet Civil Legal Needs of Low-income Americans, p.52.
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u.s. department of justice programs
Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance, Training and Technical
Assistance
We request that FY 2023 funding be maintained for the Department of
Justice, Office of Justice Programs, within the State and Local Law
Enforcement Assistance appropriations account, at a level similar to
that provided in recent years, which is approximately $1 to 2 million,
for the Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance, Training and
Technical Assistance grant program (TCCLA). This should continue to
include funding in FY 2023 to support the work done on behalf of Native
Americans by Indian Legal Services programs that are connected with the
Legal Services Corporation. This FY2023 funding could be either within
a specified line item for ``assistance to Indian Tribes,'' such as the
$50 million Congress appropriated in the FY2022 Consolidated
Appropriations Act, and was included in the President's Budget for
FY2023, or within a Tribal set-aside percentage of Office of Justice
Programs accounts, as this subcommittee has recommended in prior years.
The consortium of 24 Indian Legal Services programs operating in 23
States provides legal representation to thousands of American Indian
and Alaska Native individuals in Tribal and State courts, and assists
more than 160 Tribal governments and/or Tribal judicial systems to
enhance or develop their justice systems. In at least 46 Tribal courts,
these Indian Legal Services programs provide the only public defender
services available. Many of these Indian Legal Services programs have
been awarded funding under the TCCLA grants program, most recently for
FY 2021 for both Tribal civil and criminal legal assistance:
Recent examples of civil legal assistance work done under TCCLA
funding awards include drafting model domestic violence protective
order codes, as well as drafting Tribal laws and revisions to civil
codes, policies and procedures; providing representation to children
within the juvenile systems of Tribal courts as guardians ad litem;
handling Indian wills, which has included drafting Advanced Directives
for Tribal members; and collaborating and maintaining relationships
with Tribal domestic violence advocates, Tribal crime victims'
advocates, urban Indian organizations, prosecutors, Tribal public
defenders, State and Tribal social service agencies, Tribal housing
authorities, senior center staff, staff at local Bureau of Indian
Affairs and Department of the Interior Office of Special Trustee
offices, the Tribal bar, and others to improve community awareness
about available legal services and provide more comprehensive services.
Recent examples of programs' criminal legal assistance work
conducted under TCCLA funding awards include representation of
defendants in a tribal/State court dual-jurisdiction DWI healing to
wellness court; presenting on the U.S. v. Cooley case and impacts on
Tribal law enforcement when encountering non-Indians on non-Tribal
lands within the boundaries of a reservation; handling cases related to
the expungement of criminal records; providing a Public Defender for
Tribal members in the Chickasaw Nation Tribal Court pursuant to the
June, 2020, U.S. Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma; assisting
juvenile Tribal members in criminal defense and court appointments of
guardian ad litem cases when parents faced criminal prosecution or
incarceration; and handling trial level casework regarding unlawful
pre-trial detention.
In FY 2023, whether the subcommittee recommends funding to DOJ for
Indian Country Tribal justice and law enforcement programs as an
overall sum, as in fiscal year 2022, or as a Tribal set-aside
percentage of overall DOJ funding, as has been proposed in prior fiscal
years, we request that both bill and report language direct that some
DOJ funding be allocated for the purpose of the provision of both
Tribal civil and criminal legal assistance to individual Tribal
citizens and to Tribal judicial systems pursuant to the Indian Tribal
Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act.
public defender improvement
The Federal Government has an important role in ensuring quality in
State and local public defense systems, and the President's Budget for
FY2023 included $25 million for public defender improvement. We urge
the committee to fully fund this program. DOJ has previously undertaken
initiatives to support state, Tribal, and local public defense systems,
including the Smart Defense Initiative, which focused on upholding the
Sixth Amendment right to counsel, and on fostering defender-researcher
partnerships; and the Sixth Amendment Initiative, which focused on the
protection of all Sixth Amendment rights via strategic planning,
implementation of strategic plans, and innovative partnerships between
public defense service providers and other criminal legal system
stakeholder groups. These initiatives have yielded substantial benefits
for criminal legal systems and for communities more broadly. For
example, a pilot program under the Smart Defense Initiative to provide
representation at all felony arraignments in Alameda County, CA reduced
unnecessary pretrial incarceration and provided substantial cost
savings: the percentage of cases where accused individuals were
released at arraignment increased from less than 1% to 20%; motions to
reduce bail (which were virtually nonexistent without counsel) had an
83% success rate; and the assistance of counsel avoided 2,974 days of
incarceration, translating to a savings of $422,308 in a single year.
violence against women act (vawa) programs
More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the United
States had experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an
intimate partner. Civil legal aid helps survivors secure their physical
safety, break legal links with their abuser, and rebuild their lives
over the long term. We urge the committee to provide $100 million for
civil legal assistance for victims, as requested by the President. None
of this appropriation should be drawn from the Crime Victims Fund
administered by the Office for Victims of Crime, because this reduces
the total amount available to serve victims of crime and jeopardizes
the sustainability of Crime Victims Fund over the long-term. The
sustainability of the Crime Victims Fund is a bipartisan concern, as
shown by the enactment of H.R. 1652, the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime
Victims Fund Act.
john r. justice student loan repayment assistance program
As the cost of law school continues to rise, new lawyers are
increasingly reliant on student loans to obtain a law degree: a 2021
report shows that the average law school student borrows over $118,000
just to attend law school, and 74.1% of law school students graduate in
debt.\11\ Salaries for public defenders and prosecutors are low, so
sustaining a career in public service is often impractical if not
impossible, leading to public defender programs and prosecution offices
being unable to retain talented attorneys. The John R. Justice Student
Loan Repayment Assistance Program (JRJ) offers critical support to
relieve the pressure of student loan debt for public defenders and
prosecutors. We are grateful that the committee has doubled the
appropriation level for the John R. Justice program to $4 million for
this year, but for this program to have a meaningful national impact,
it should be funded at the authorized level of $25 million.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ See e.g.; Hanson, M., December 5, 2021, Average Law School
Debt, Education Data Initiative, EducationData.org; and Hess, A. J.,
Dec 22, 2022, U.S. Student Debt Has Increased by More than 100 percent
Over the Past 10 Years, CNBC.com.
[This statement was submitted by Radhika Singh, Vice President]
______
Prepared Statement of National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Chairwoman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the
subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony
regarding appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. On behalf of the
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, I thank the subcommittee for the
$4.5 million increase in the Marine Sanctuary Program (ORF) funding and
$1 million increase in Marine Sanctuaries Construction (PAC) funding
for FY 2022, and language supporting expansion of the National Marine
Sanctuary System. As supporters, stakeholders, and partners of
America's National Marine Sanctuary System, we strongly urge the
Committee to:
1. Appropriate at least $95.5 million in National Marine
Sanctuaries in FY
2023.
2. Direct NOAA to prioritize programs in sanctuaries.
3. Cap corporate fees to no more than 5 percent of the annual
appropriations.
4. Address Section 304(f) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
office of national marine sanctuaries
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) serves as the
trustee for a network of 15 national marine sanctuaries and two marine
national monuments that encompass over 620,000 square miles of marine
and Great Lakes waters. The National Marine Sanctuary System conserves
some of the Nation's most critical natural, historic, and cultural
resources.
The conservation of marine ecosystems is vital to maintaining a
healthy ocean and Great Lakes, sustaining productive coastal economies,
and addressing climate change. According to the Bureau of Economic
Analysis, the marine economy accounted for $397 billion of U.S.GDP in
2019. Tourism and recreation accounted for the most significant
portion, $234 billion of the gross output, and marine living resources
accounted for $26.6 billion. Both sectors depend on a healthy ocean.
Sanctuaries drive the growth of the blue economy through fishing,
diving, recreation, hospitality, and tourism.
The ocean is central to mitigating climate change, absorbing 90
percent of the climate system's excess heat. Climate change is
disproportionately impacting the ocean and its impacts threaten the
physical well-being, economic prosperity, and food security of
communities along our coasts and businesses that rely on marine
resources. National marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments
are a key part of the solution to ocean climate impacts. They protect
ecosystems that remove atmospheric carbon and store it in marine
sediments and habitats, safeguard coastal communities from flooding and
storms and reduce non-climate stressors to support ecosystem
resilience.
For Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas ORF account, we urge
Congress to provide at least $87 million. ONMS manages more ocean and
Great Lakes area than the entire National Park Service on a
significantly lower budget. This is the minimum level of funding
necessary to advance conservation and restoration in U.S. waters while
addressing the threats of biodiversity loss, climate change, and
inequitable access to nature. There are three sites currently in the
designation process as national marine sanctuaries, four sites on the
nomination inventory awaiting action, and one site under consideration
for the inventory. These sites have strong community-based support and
four were nominated by Indigenous communities. Engaging communities as
stewards of these protected waters make sanctuaries unique and provides
a participatory approach to conservation. With additional resources,
ONMS can engage communities throughout the sanctuary nomination and
designation processes.
For Marine Sanctuaries PAC, we urge Congress to provide at least
$8.5 million. This funding will support the replacement or repair of
vessels that are mission-critical. ONMS maintains a fleet of small
boats that allows managers and partners to assess, monitor, research
and protect national marine sanctuaries. These efforts include
responding to entangled whales, conducting scientific missions,
maintaining mooring buoys, and enforcing regulations. Increasing
demands on an aging fleet lead to higher operating costs and challenges
to maintaining safe, efficient, and effective operations. To continue
on-the-water science and conservation programs that strengthen the
management of our ocean and Great Lakes, investment in recapitalizing
aging vessels across the National Marine Sanctuary System in addition
to upgrades, retrofits, and life-cycle extensions is critical. Funding
would also support improvements for visitor centers, facilities and
signage, and ADA compliance that anchor tourism and recreation in
communities and enhance equitable access to nature.
In October 2022, the Nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the
National Marine Sanctuaries Act. As we move towards this anniversary,
we need to invest in America's protected waters, and the communities
and businesses that depend upon them. The Build Back Better bill
proposed critical investment in ONMS facilities across the country. For
the anniversary, we urge the subcommittee to create a special
investment of $25 million in PAC for the next 5 years to improve
facilities.
prioritizing national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments
Marine sanctuaries and monuments protect nationally significant
areas in our ocean and Great Lakes akin to national parks and national
wildlife refuges. Because of their special designation and NOAA's
responsibility to hold them in trustee, the Department of Commerce and
the agency should prioritize investment in these areas. We appreciate
Congress including report language in Consolidated Appropriations Act
for FY 2022 for National Ocean Service (NOS) to prioritize marine
debris cleanup efforts within marine sanctuaries and marine national
monuments. We request the subcommittee expand this language to include
other accounts within NOAA, specifically, Navigations, Observation and
Positioning, Coastal Science and Assessment and Coral Reef Conservation
Program within NOS, Protected Resource Science and Management and
Habitat Conservation and Restoration within NMFS, and Climate Research
and Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Research within OAR. In addition to
the general provision above, we respectfully request funding for
sanctuaries Line Offices. We request this funding above the President's
FY 2023 Budget request.
National Ocean Service (NOS).--We commend the Coral Reef
Conservation Program and the Office of Response and Restoration's
Marine Debris Program for supporting work in sanctuaries and monuments.
We request support in the following accounts:
--$15 million within the Navigation, Observation, and Positioning to:
characterize and monitor marine ecosystems and living
resources; understand and predict impacts from climate change;
prioritize and synthesize long-term data collections; advance
technologies for biological observing; and develop targeted
modelling, web-enabled ecosystem trends, and other tools to
inform adaptation strategies.
--$5 million within the Office of Response and Restoration for marine
debris removal in sanctuaries and monuments to enhance water
quality and reduce the impacts of debris on resources.
--$1 million within the Coral Reef Conservation Program to support
the MPA Center providing technical assistance to Pacific
Islands, Caribbean, and international partners, complementing
USAID.
--$10 million within National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
(NCCOS) for biogeographic assessments and characterizations in
sanctuaries and monuments to evaluate regulatory and management
decisions, and grants to non-federal partners for targeted
research on priority management issues.
--$5 million within the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
program to support the collection, management, accessibility
and distribution of critical natural and archaeological data
and information.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).--We commend the Office of
Habitat Conservation for their strong support for work in sanctuaries.
We request support in the following accounts:
--$100 million for Habitat Conservation and Restoration within the
National Marine Fisheries Service and dedicate $40 million to
support habitat restoration in U.S. waters, with the increase
directed for restoration in national marine sanctuaries and
marine national monuments and assessing blue carbon
sequestration.
--Funding for the Office of Law Enforcement to increase enforcement
in sanctuaries, especially those like the Florida Keys where
there are zone programs.
--For Protected Resources Science and Management, we request an
increase of $10 million to support species recovery grants.
Sanctuaries facilitate partnerships across sectors and can
effectively develop best practices and models for improving
science and management for protected species.
--For the Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Program, we request $5
million to directly support the science needs and management of
sanctuaries and monuments.
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR).--Sanctuaries act as living
laboratories for stewardship, education, restoration, and science to
address climate impacts. Scientists across NOAA are increasing our
understanding of the climate drivers, conditions, trends, and
predictions affecting our ocean through research conducted in
sanctuaries.
--Within OAR's climate research, we request $5 million to support
climate science in sanctuaries and monuments.
--Within the Office of Exploration and Research, $6 million to
support and conduct critical operations in the National Marine
Sanctuary System, with emphasis on the Pacific Islands Region,
Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico.
--$3 million in the Ocean Acidification Program to focus research on
sanctuaries and monuments aligned with the current OAP
Strategic Plan.
--$3 million for NOAA Research Laboratories to support the design,
construction, and installation of research and monitoring
instruments in sanctuaries and monuments.
office of marine and aviation operations (omao)
Within OMAO, we request $3 million in dedicated funds to support
operations in the National Marine Sanctuary System using NOAA Ships and
uncrewed systems to address science and management needs and provide
increased access to and on water presence for NOAA and partners in
these protected areas.
cap for noaa administrative costs
We urge the subcommittee to cap NOAA's and NOS's corporate and
administrative costs at five percent of total ORF appropriations for
the account. In fiscal year 2021, ONMS paid over $7 million in
administrative and corporate costs to NOAA. ONMS shoulders a
disproportionate share of corporate expenses and direct bills because
other programs are exempt from such fees. Rather than ONMS and other
non-exempt programs shouldering these costs, we urge this subcommittee
to cap costs and require NOAA budget these expenses directly. Direct
accounts for NOAA's and Line Offices' Administration, management, and
corporate services would be transparent and allow Congress to
appropriate actual costs for these expenses. More importantly, it
ensures NOAA has the necessary and deserved budget for administration
and management without impacting program and mission delivery.
Suspend Section 304(f) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act
Section 304(f) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act is outdated
and should be repealed as demonstrated in NOAA's findings for Mallows
Bay-Potomac River and Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine
Sanctuaries. With only 1.9% of the U.S. marine environment protected
outside of the central Pacific, our Nation needs to increase the level
and scale of marine protected areas to conserve biodiversity and all
its contributions to people and the economy. National marine
sanctuaries are an effective and cooperative approach to increase
protection. We urge the subcommittee to include language to strike
Section 304(f) or suspend the provision in FY 2023.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony. Robust funding
will ensure sound management of these treasured places through strong
community engagement in stewardship; support of mission-critical tools;
active restoration of marine environments; preservation of maritime
resources; and improved understanding of ecosystems. We look forward to
working with the subcommittee during the FY 2023 appropriations
process.
[This statement was submitted by Ms. Kristen J. Sarri, President
and CEO]
______
Prepared Statement of The National Ocean and Coastal Security
Mrs. Chairwoman and Members of the subcommittee, this joint
statement is submitted on behalf of the non-profit organizations listed
above who share a deep concern for the health of the Nation's oceans,
coasts, and Great Lakes.
The ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes are experiencing dramatic
changes from sea level rise, increasing coastal storm frequency,
coastal flooding, erosion, hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, ocean
acidification, biodiversity loss, and more. Many of these changes are
caused by climate change, which is disproportionately impacting the
ocean. Warming waters are changing ocean circulation and chemistry,
raising sea levels, increasing storm intensity, and changing the
diversity and abundance of marine species. These impacts weaken marine
ecosystem's ability to provide critical ecological services and natural
infrastructure for climate resilience. This threatens the physical
well-being, economic prosperity, and food security of communities along
our coasts and businesses that rely on marine resources and
transportation.
The most recent State of U.S. High Tide Flooding report recorded
record high global sea levels and some regions across the country are
seeing up to 1,100 percent increases in high tide flooding. At the same
time, the population in coastal areas continues to increase and nearly
40 percent of coastal residents are vulnerable communities--the
elderly, children, and the poor. This interface of coastal change and
increasing coastal populations is driving the need to enhance coastal
community adaptation, mitigation, and resilience capacity. Our coastal
organizations, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), are poised to play a leading role in addressing
these continually evolving ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes challenges
and helping people where they live.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) recognizes the
importance of coastal infrastructure--and the critical role of NOAA and
its partners--in addressing coastal community adaptation, mitigation,
and resilience. The IIJA included one-time investments of $47 billion
for resiliency with $2.6 billion of that amount going to NOAA. The NOAA
funds include amounts for data acquisition, marine debris, forecasting
and modeling, regional management, projects for habitat restoration and
community resilience and coastal and ocean observing. Our organizations
thank Congress for making these significant investments.
The IIJA makes impressive strides to advance ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes resilience, yet these investments are only an initial down
payment on the full need. Coastal communities are looking at multi-
billion dollar price tags to bolster themselves from rising seas and
associated coastal hazards. For example, Harris County, Texas planners
estimate it will cost more than $30 billion to provide protection
against major 100-year flood events. This is over 10 times the
investment to NOAA under IIJA. The economic and social cost of inaction
is exorbitant--Hurricane Harvey in 2017 cost $125 billion in damages
and led to the deaths of 68 people while causing the third 500-year-
flood in a 3 year period. Studies show that investments in coastal
resilience work. A project supported by NOAA and its partners in Harris
County--Exploration Green--created a wetland to absorb floodwaters, and
even though the project was in the early stages of development when
Hurricane Harvey hit, it protected 150 homes from flooding, and now it
protects over 3,000 homes from 100-year and 500-year flood events.
Our annual appropriations request for FY 2023 and ensures the full
impact of the IIJA investments are realized. The immediate and long
term success of infrastructure investments depend on community
engagement, planning, analysis of options and implementation, and
stewardship of newly restored areas--all activities that were not
supported under the IIJA. Increased capacity is needed to work with
local communities to support and implement these projects, as well as
manage the restored areas. Furthermore, many of our programs have
significant educational and outreach mandates that complement the
development of coastal infrastructure, but were not funded in the IIJA.
Education, outreach, and training within coastal communities can both
explain the value of coastal infrastructure and improve community
resilience through planning and preparedness.
Our organizations stand in strong support of NOAA's ocean, coastal,
and Great Lakes research, observing, conservation, management,
stewardship, training, and education programs which advance coastal
resilience. We support the following investments in FY 2023
appropriations to ensure robust investments in coastal resilience as
well as capacity to implement the IIJA:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$140 million for the National Sea Grant $108.5 million for Coastal
College Program and $18 million for Management Grants and $64.782
Sea Grant Aquaculture.. million for Coastal Zone Mgmt.
and Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$87 million for National Marine $42.5 million for National
Sanctuaries operations, research, & Estuarine Research Reserve
facilities and $8.5 million for System operations and $10
procurement, acquisition & million for procurement,
construction. acquisition & construction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$75.3 million for the Regional $34 million for National Ocean
Integrated Ocean Observing Program. and Coastal Security Fund
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.5 million for Regional Ocean ...............................
Partnerships.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Sea Grant College Program.--The National Sea Grant College
Program Act authorizes the awarding of grants and contracts to initiate
and support programs at Sea Grant colleges and other institutions for
research, education, and advisory services in any field related to the
conservation and development of marine resources. A joint federal,
State, and local investment, Sea Grant provides solutions for the
issues affecting our Nation's coastal communities (including the Great
Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and communities on the Atlantic, Caribbean, and
Pacific coasts), yielding quantifiable economic, social, and
environmental benefits. Sea Grant is a unique university-based program
within NOAA that awards over 90% of its appropriated funds to coastal
States through a competitive process to address issues identified as
critical by coastal communities throughout the United States. Sea Grant
fosters cost-effective partnerships among State universities, State and
local governments, NOAA, and coastal communities and businesses,
leveraging nearly $3 for every $1 appropriated by Congress. In 2020 the
Sea Grant program helped generate an estimated $520 million in economic
benefits; created or supported 11,000 jobs; created or sustained 1332
businesses; provided 34 State-level programs with funding that assisted
285 communities improve their resilience; helped over 11,000 people
adopt safe and sustainable fishing practices; helped restore or protect
an estimated 4.2 million acres of habitat; and supported the education
and training of nearly 2000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).--The IOOS Regional
Associations (RAs) work with Tribal, State, regional and Federal
agencies to design and operate regional observing systems which provide
actionable information to a variety of stakeholders. IOOS efficiently
links observation to modeling via data management in order to improve
the safety and efficiency of maritime operations, more effectively
protect and restore healthy coastal ecosystems, reduce public health
risks, and to mitigate the effects of coastal hazards including
flooding. The IOOS regional network enables NOAA to more efficiently
achieve their goals by increased access to non-Federal data sources and
by developing tailored information products that address the unique
needs of users around the Nation. The FY 2023 request supports the core
operation of these regional systems allowing them to continue critical
observations and to provide that information in useful formats, in a
timely manner. In addition, the support will allow for repairs to aging
infrastructure and modernization of the system to better provide
information on changing conditions including biology and marine life.
Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Programs.--The 34 State and Territory
CZM Programs, in partnership with the National CZM Program, support the
congressionally recognized priority of the effective management,
beneficial use, protection, and development of the coastal zone. The
demands on CZM Programs have increased with continuously more
complicated balancing of coastal zone uses and needs for conservation,
while emerging issues including sea level rise, increased coastal storm
frequency, and other coastal hazards such as coastal flooding and
erosion threaten the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.
Additionally, IIJA provided for $207 million for habitat restoration
projects under the CZMA placing increased demands for directed project
execution on the CZM Programs without providing resources to address
basic capacity needs. While the IIJA funds do address some components
of the extensive needs for coastal resilience, there remain critical
gaps that are not addressed which are supported by the annual
appropriations for Coastal Management Grants. These gaps include
vulnerability assessments; long-term resilience planning; and project
planning, design, engineering, and implementation for green and gray
infrastructure projects with coastal community resilience benefits. To
ensure the effective implementation of this new legislation and the
continuation of comprehensive coastal resilience efforts, it is
imperative that the Coastal Management Grants be funded at a level that
ensures the States and Territories have the necessary capacity to meet
these mandates.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS).--The NERRS
include 30 special coastal places (Reserves), encompassing more than
1.4 million acres. Over 50 years, and in times of crisis, Reserves have
become trusted members of coastal communities. The NERRS is a time-
tested, mission-ready program that is prepared for growth and has a
proven track record of delivering the information and solutions
communities need to address climate change and many other challenges.
Communities look to Reserves as partners in addressing the challenges
of a changing coast and as places for safe outdoor experiences that are
essential to public health. An increase in program funding will send
more dollars to each State and enhance the NOAA services each Reserve
and its communities receive. The increase will support NERRS geographic
growth: there are two proposed reserves in Louisiana and Wisconsin in
the designation pipeline. A funding increase will also deepen and
broaden the impact of national programs that make coastal communities
and the Nation more resilient, including the NERRS System-Wide
Management Program, Coastal Training Program, Collaborative Research
competitive grant program, and Davidson Graduate Research Fellowship.
Additionally, funding for the NERRS will strengthen the impact of
investments made through the infrastructure bill. Reserves support
jobs, contribute to the economy, and provide much-needed refuge,
especially during the pandemic.
National Marine Sanctuaries Program and Habitat Restoration.--The
National Marine Sanctuary System encompasses over 600,000 square miles
of marine and Great Lakes waters protecting ecologically and
biologically significant habitats. Sanctuaries serve as living
laboratories for stewardship, education, restoration, and science to
address climate impacts. Sanctuaries also bolster tourism and robust
recreational industries, promote sustainable visitation, engage
businesses in stewardship, and drive the growth of the blue economy.
Communities across the Nation can nominate their most treasured marine
and Great Lakes places for consideration as sanctuaries. Engaging
communities as stewards of these protected waters provides a
comprehensive, highly participatory approach to managing and conserving
marine and Great Lakes ecosystems. The Office of National Marine
Sanctuaries (ONMS) needs the resources to properly engage communities
throughout the sanctuary nomination and designation process.
ONMS did not receive any IIJA funds. The FY23 request will ensure
that ONMS has the resources to conduct scientific research, effectively
manage sanctuaries and designate new ones, enforce regulations, and
engage the public in stewardship. Funding would support the
Administration's initiation of the designation process
for sanctuaries in the ONMS Inventory and complete the proposed
Papahanaumokuakea, Lake Ontario, and Chumash Heritage sanctuaries'
designation. There are an additional four sites nominated for
designation in inventory awaiting action, and one site under
consideration for the inventory. This funding level would also support
the replacement or repair of vessels that are mission-critical to
operations, management, and enforcement and provide investments that
create jobs through shipbuilding
The Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs).--The four ROPs play a
unique role in facilitating collaboration across State coastal
agencies, including State and Territory CZM Programs, Tribes, Federal
agencies, and other stakeholder groups, to manage the Nation's coast
and enhance coastal resilience. The IIJA provides significant resources
to support the four ROPs, Tribal engagement, and ROP equivalents in
regions without an ROP. IIJA funding together with sustained annual
appropriations will enable the ROPs and their equivalents to tackle
increasingly complex coastal issue in a coordinated way and to engage
Tribes who are a critical partner in managing the Nation's coasts who
have often been left out of these coastal management discussions.
The National Ocean and Coastal Security (NOCSA) Fund.--The NOCSA
Fund provides grants to non-profit organizations, academic
institutions, for-profit organizations, and State, Territory, local,
municipal, and Tribal governments for the purpose of investing in
conservation projects that restore or expand natural coastal features
that minimize the impacts of storms and other naturally occurring
events on nearby communities. Increased resources under IIJA and
sustained annual appropriations will enable coastal communities to
tackle the vast need for coastal habitat restoration and community
resilience projects across the Nation's coasts.
Ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research, education, conservation,
and resource management programs funded by this subcommittee are
investments in the future health, resiliency, and well-being of our
coastal communities which will result in returns of improved quality of
life, as well as environmental and economic outcomes many times over
the Federal investment.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide this joint statement.
______
Prepared Statement of National Opinion Research Center (NORC)
The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of
Chicago appreciates the opportunity to provide testimony on the fiscal
Year 2023 Census Bureau (``the Bureau'') budget request. In particular,
we focus on the Bureau's proposed ``Ask U.S. Panel'' pilot project, for
which the Bureau has not requested funding as part of its FY 2023
request despite its stated plans to continue to expand the Program and
Pilot over the next year.
about norc
NORC is an objective, non-partisan research institution that
delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical
programmatic, business, and policy decisions. We have been successful
in utilizing our well-established surveys to compile reliable data for
Federal agencies, private sector clients, and others for over 75 years.
This collection of surveys includes the ``AmeriSpeak'' online
probability-based panel for rapid turnaround studies, which has been in
place since 2016. Given our experience with the ``AmeriSpeak'' panel,
we have firsthand knowledge of the time, resources, and plans needed to
successfully execute a panel like the one the Bureau is seeking to
create via the Ask U.S. Panel.
concerns about the ask u.s. panel
The Ask U.S. Panel, first proposed under the Bureau's June 2020
Notice of Funding Opportunity, was intended to ``establish a research
platform that is developed and maintained by a third-party collaborator
but, open to government and other non-profit researchers and policy
makers that can allow a more frequent measurement of the population and
can include repeated measures designs.'' The Bureau awarded the project
to RTI International through a cooperative agreement.
We have numerous concerns regarding the development of the Panel,
including the use of a cooperative agreement, the duplication of
resources already existing in the private sector, and the diversion of
taxpayer dollars and Bureau personnel from other important priorities
related to the Bureau's unique functions. However, our main concern is
the lack of transparency surrounding the Bureau's plans for the Panel.
Since awarding the cooperative agreement in 2020, the Bureau has
avoided numerous requests from stakeholders for information about its
methodology, data collection processes, and intended uses for the
Panel.
This lack of transparency, combined with the rapid implementation
of the Panel, raises concerns regarding the need, validity, and
usability of the Panel. The Bureau has pursued rapid implementation of
new data products and data collection programs in recent years. While
NORC applauds the Bureau's recent innovations, we suggest that
additional diligence may be necessary to ensure the Ask U.S. Panel
fulfills its intended purposes and that the Bureau communicates with
its users on the best fit for each of its products. Recent Federal
Register Notices and statements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
from the Bureau on the Ask U.S. Panel indicate that the plans and
methodology are rapidly evolving. The Bureau must be transparent about
its methodology and planned implementation to ensure this product
produces valid and usable results and is not a waste of taxpayer
dollars.
To this end, stakeholders have repeatedly reached out to the Bureau
for additional information on this project and the Bureau has been
dismissive and/or nonresponsive to these requests. This lack of
transparency by the Bureau is evidenced in their lack of response to
stakeholder comments through the PRA process (comments submitted on
February 4, 2022; March 29, 2022; and May 3, 2022). The lack of
consideration by the Bureau of public comments calls into question its
commitment to the consultative process established by the PRA and the
transparency of the Bureau in its actions. We note that in a recent
Director's blog post Director Santos stated, ``An important aspect of
that is cultivating trust with all our Nation's communities, be they
urban or rural, low-income or high income, and regardless of race or
ethnicity or other socio-demographic groups. That is why seeking,
listening to and incorporating feedback is critical to garnering trust
from the full range of our Nation's communities. It also promotes the
production of relevant, quality data and therefore facilitates
excellence at the Census Bureau.'' \1\ NORC agrees with this
perspective and believes meaningful engagement with the Bureau's
stakeholders and transparency in the Bureau's operations are essential
factors in engendering trust and confidence in the Bureau's programs
and products. In the case of inquiry and feedback regarding the Ask
U.S. Panel, the Bureau's actions to date, both through the PRA process
and other channels, do not meet the standard laid out in the Director's
blog post.
It also is notable that the Bureau did not include any references
to the Ask U.S. Panel in its FY 2023 budget request despite recent
Federal Register Notices indicating its plans to implement the Panel.
It is unclear to us and other stakeholders how the Bureau plans to fund
the Panel and how this effort fits in with the Household Pulse Surveys
and High Frequency Data Program. Despite approaching the Bureau through
various channels, both directly and indirectly, we have not received
any clarity about how these programs interact and what funding the
Bureau plans to utilize to build out the Ask U.S. Panel in the next
year.
request for the fiscal year 2023 cjs appropriations bill
Given these concerns, we respectfully ask the Committee to instruct
the Bureau to be more transparent with stakeholders, as well as provide
more detailed information about its plans for the Panel. Providing
proper oversight of the implementation of this project will ensure the
scope of the Ask U.S. Panel stays within its parameters and does not
waste public funds.
To that end, we request the Committee include the following
language in the report accompanying the fiscal Year 2023 CJS
appropriations bill.
Ask U.S. Panel Survey. The Committee is concerned about
the lack of transparency related to the Census Bureau's
plans for implementation of the Ask U.S. Panel Survey,
particularly given the lack of congressional
authorization and the expanding scope of the project
since it was initially announced. The Committee also is
concerned about the use of taxpayer dollars for the
development of a panel survey given the wide range of
options that currently exist in the private sector for
these types of activities. The Committee directs the
Census Bureau to provide a report to the Committee
within 60 days about the panel's methodology, data
collection processes, implementation, incurred and
projected costs, and procurement strategy to allow the
Committee to evaluate the project's use of Federal
resources.
conclusion
While the Census Bureau should be lauded for its recent
innovations, the lack of transparency surrounding the Ask U.S. Panel
raises serious concerns, which ultimately question the need for the
Panel as a government developed program. We hope the Committee will
provide active oversight to ensure the Bureau is fully transparent
about its plans for this product, including responding to stakeholder
requests.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony on the Ask U.S.
Panel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/director/2022/02/
thinking-differently-perpetuating-
excellence.html, February 14, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition
Dear Chairman Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran:
As you begin to prepare the fiscal Year 23 Appropriations bill, the
National Seafood Marketing Coalition (NSMC) requests that you work with
all of your colleagues to ensure increased funding for the Saltonstall-
Kennedy (S-K) Grant Program. The NSMC includes 70 US Fisheries
organizations from across the country as well as signed support from 9
separate State Legislatures.
Enacted in 1954, the S-K Act aims to `` . . . aid the American
commercial fishing industry by promoting the free flow of domestically
produced products in commerce and developing and increasing markets for
those products,'' through a federal, competitive grant program. As you
know, the S-K Grant Program is funded by a tariff on imported seafood
and these funds are transferred from USDA into NOAA's ``Promote and
Develop Seafood Products'' account. The tariffs capitalizing the
Promote and Develop account have increased almost every year from $82
million in 2007 to now over $240 million in 2021. Regardless of this
dramatic and consistent increase, the S-K Grant program has stayed in
the $8M--$12M range of Congressional funding. The fiscal year 2022
funding for the S-K Grants turned out to be $11.8M, which is
approximately 4.8% of the ``transfer'' from USDA. However, the S-K Act
clearly States that:
(e) Allocation of fund moneys
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all moneys in the
fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting
United States fisheries in accordance with the provisions of
this section, and no such moneys shall be transferred from the
fund for any other purpose . . . .(A) the Secretary shall use
no less than 60 per centum of such moneys to make direct
industry assistance grants to develop the United States
fisheries and to expand domestic and foreign markets for United
States fishery products pursuant to subsection (c) of this
section;
Increased S-K funding is needed for the U.S. seafood industry now
more than ever. World events have closed markets and significantly
raised tariffs on many U.S. seafood exports. Moreover, because of the
war in Ukraine and other U.S. policies, several foreign nations have
severely restricted the import of our US seafood products and at the
same time, the US Seafood market is a ``center or the target'' for all
other foreign seafood products! (The U.S. imports approximately 90% of
seafood consumed domestically). Increased S-K funding should focus on
increasing domestic consumption of U.S. produced seafood as well as the
secondary processing of seafood within the U.S. American fisheries are
also challenged by disproportionate foreign government spending to
support their fishing industries. For example, Norway spends more than
10 times the amount of money on marketing Norwegian salmon in U.S.
markets as the US does on all of our seafood products, everywhere.
Increased S-K allocations could, in part, help to level the playing
field in promotion of U.S. produced seafood.
Recently, Congress re-established the American Fisheries Advisory
Committee (AFAC Committee) to work with NOAA to prioritize and direct
S-K funding. The NSMC as a representative of the Alaska and US Seafood
Industry, is looking forward to AFAC's new leadership role in the
application of S-K funding. It has been 50 years since S-K funding
decisions have had the industry input that was intended by the 1954
enabling legislation. According to the legislation, the purpose of S-K
funding is ``to assist persons in carrying out research and development
projects addressed to any aspect of United States fisheries, including,
but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated
infrastructures.'' The AFAC Committee, as designed, will have both
geographical and experiential diversity including fishermen, scientists
and regulators drawing from six regions across the country. As such,
AFAC will be an effective advisory body, ensuring that increased S-K
funding is strategically invested to return maximum benefit to the
American Seafood Industry.
As one of the US Seafood industry's representatives and advocates,
we would like to see the S-K Grant funding begin to approach the
percentage of U.S. tariffs on imported seafood that were envisioned
when the original statute was passed. For FY 23, UFA encourages you to
consider funding the S-K Grant program at no less than 15% of the
transfer to NOAA's ``Promote and Develop Seafood Products'' account
derived from tariffs on imported seafood as a specific Lt numbered line
item in the FY23 budget. This equates to approximately 35 million
dollars, and is a step in the right direction towards the 60% language
contained in the S-K Act. In future years, we recommend continued
incremental increases towards the statutory 60% allocation in the SK
Act.
We very much thank you for being the champion you have been for so
long in our request for increased S-K Grant funding that will address
the new and increased needs of America's fishing industry and ensure
the new AFAC Committee's ability to maximize a newly refreshed desire
for a National Seafood Marketing campaign and to finally begin
addressing the rebuilding and expansion of America's Seafood markets.
[This statement was submitted by Bruce Schactler, Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Natural Science Collections Alliance
The Natural Science Collections Alliance appreciates the
opportunity to provide testimony in support of fiscal year (FY) 2023
appropriations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). We encourage
Congress to provide the NSF with at least $11 billion in FY 2023.
The Natural Science Collections Alliance is a non-profit
association that supports natural science collections, their human
resources, the institutions that house them, and their research
activities for the benefit of science and society. Our membership
consists of institutions that are part of an international network of
museums, botanical gardens, herbaria, universities, and other
institutions that contain natural science collections and use them in
research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and
outreach activities.
Scientific collections, and the collections professionals and
scientists who make, care for, and study these resources, are an
important component of our Nation's research infrastructure. These
collections and their associated experts contribute to the expansion of
our bioeconomy. Whether held at a museum, government managed laboratory
or archive, or in a university science department, these scientific
resources form a coordinated network of specimens, samples, and data
(for example, genetic, tissue, organism, and environmental) that are a
unique and irreplaceable foundation from which scientists are studying
and explaining past and present life on earth.
Natural science collections advance scientific research and
education, and that informs actions to improve public health,
agricultural productivity, natural resource management, biodiversity
conservation, and American economic innovation. Current research
involving natural science collections also contributes to the
development of new cyberinfrastructure, data visualization tools, and
improved data management practices. A few examples of how scientific
collections have saved lives, enhanced food production, and advanced
scientific discovery include:
--Scientists used museum specimens in U.S. collections to gather data
on the distribution of the mosquito Culex quadrofaciatus, which
is known to carry West Nile Virus and other pathogens. They
then modeled the distribution under different scenarios of
changing climates to predict regions where the species may
expand in the future. Predicting the spread of disease vectors
such as these mosquitoes helps the health care community
prepare for disease outbreaks and where they will happen.
--Researchers from Boston University documented Tau proteins in the
brains of fluid preserved museum specimens of Downy Woodpecker.
These proteins are also found in traumatic brain injuries in
humans. Because of the life history traits of woodpeckers, the
researchers argue these birds may have evolved a level of
resistance to traumatic head injuries that could have
implications for treatments for humans.
--Citrus bacterial canker disease wreaks havoc on fruit crops in
Florida. Using plant specimens collected a century ago,
scientists have analyzed the bacterium and traced its source.
Knowledge of how the bacteria spreads allows scientists to
develop effective control methods and to protect the U.S.
citrus industry.
--When the 2001 anthrax attacks happened in the United States,
specimens collected decades earlier allowed researchers from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to quickly
identify the strain involved.
Scientific collections enable us to tell the story of life on
Earth. There are more than 1,600 biological collections in the United
States. These resources are the result of more than 200 years of
scientific investigation, discovery, and inventory of living and fossil
species. Scientists have collected and curated more than one billion
specimens within those collections. This work is on-going as new
questions continue to be asked and answered.
The institutions that care for scientific collections are important
research infrastructure that enable other scientists to study the basic
data of life; conduct biological, geological, anthropological, and
environmental research; and integrate research findings from across
these diverse disciplines. Their professional staff members train
future generations with the tools and expertise required to move
science forward. In-house institutional staff expertise is vital to the
development and deployment of this critical research infrastructure.
Recent reports highlight the value of mobilizing biodiversity
specimens and data in spurring new scientific discoveries that grow our
economy, improve our public health and wellbeing, and increase our
National security. In 2019, the Biodiversity Collections Network issued
a community-informed call for the development of an Extended Specimen
Network. The report, ``Extending U.S. Biodiversity Collections to
Promote Research and Education,'' outlines a national agenda that
leverages digital data in biodiversity collections for new uses and
calls for building an Extended Specimen Network. This endeavor requires
robust investments in our Nation's scientific collections, whether they
are owned by a Federal or state agency or are part of an educational
institution or free-standing natural history museum or another research
center.
A 2020 report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and
Medicine, ``Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical Research and
Education for the 21st Century,'' provides guidance to the NSF
regarding the sustainability of living stock and natural history
collections. The report argues that collections are a critical part of
our Nation's science and innovation infrastructure and a fundamental
resource for understanding the natural world.
According to the U.S. Interagency Working Group on Scientific
Collections (IWGSC), ``scientific collections are essential to
supporting agency missions and are thus vital to supporting the global
research enterprise.'' A 2020 report by the IWGSC, ``Economic Analyses
of Federal Scientific Collections,'' presents a framework for
estimating and documenting the long-term benefits, both monetary and
non-monetary, generated by Federal institutional collections.
The NASEM, BCoN, and IWGSC reports, articulate a common vision of
the future of biological collections and define a need to broaden and
deepen the collections and associated data to realize the potential for
biodiversity collections to inform 21st century science. Because the
NSF is the only agency that supports research in all fields of science,
it is ideally suited lead a national effort to build the Extended
Specimen Network, which will require the engagement of computer and
information scientists, geoscientists, life and environmental
scientists, and anthropologists.
Collections are a critical resource for advancing the knowledge
needed to address current global challenges such as climate change,
biodiversity loss, and pandemics. The COVID-19 crisis has illustrated
how inextricably linked humans are to the natural world. Biological
collections, their extended data, and the experts that build and study
them are globally important for understanding where viruses such as
SARS-CoV-2 exist in nature or when they cross from their current hosts
to humans.
The United Nation's (UN) Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform
on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has warned that about a
million species of plants and animals worldwide face extinction within
the next few decades. This would not only be an unprecedented loss of
global biodiversity but also a loss of valuable genetic diversity that
has implications for human health and well-being. Robust investments
must be made to support efforts to grow and digitize natural history
collections and conduct critical collections-based science that can
help prevent these losses.
The NSF plays a unique role in protecting and expanding access to
our Nation's scientific collections. It supports research that uses
existing collections as well as studies that gather new natural history
specimens. NSF's Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO),
Geosciences (GEO), and Social and Behavioral and Economic sciences
support research and student training opportunities in natural history
collections. The NSF is also an important supporter of national
biological research infrastructure that houses natural history
collections, such as living stock collections and field stations.
The NSF funds evolving work to digitize high priority specimen
collections. The result of this effort is that irreplaceable biological
specimens and their associated data are now accessible through the
Internet to researchers, educators, and the public. More than 130
million specimens are now online, with millions more awaiting
digitization. This project involves biologists, computer scientists,
and engineers in multi-disciplinary teams who develop innovative
imaging, robotics, and data storage and retrieval methods. Resulting
new tools and approaches expedite the digitization process and
contribute to the development of new products and services of value to
other industries. Museum specimens and associated data also represent
an extraordinary resource for teaching core concepts in science.
An example is the multi-institutional openVertebrate (oVert)
project, which creates high-resolution 3D anatomical data for
scientific specimens of amphibians, reptiles, fishes, mammals, and
birds held in U.S. museums. Through its NSF-supported partner
MorphoSource, an open-access online repository, these data have been
downloaded more than 100,000 times and viewed over 1 million times by
faculty, veterinarians, exhibit designers, K12 teachers, and artists
resulting in more than 200 scientific publications. In addition, more
than 2,000 undergraduate students have learned from these data and
visualizations while studying zoology, veterinary science, art, and
design.
In addition to supporting research, NSF's science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs enhance the
ability of museums, botanic gardens, zoos, and other research
institutions to provide science learning opportunities for students.
NSF's Advancing Informal STEM Learning program furthers our
understanding of informal science education outside of traditional
classrooms. The program makes important contributions to efforts to
make STEM more inclusive of historically underrepresented groups.
conclusion
Investments in NSF have always been in the National interest and
their value continues to grow. Scientific collections contribute to
improved public well-being and national economic security. It is not
possible to replace this important documentation of our Nation's
heritage. Specimens collected decades or centuries ago are increasingly
used to develop and validate models that explain how species, including
viruses, parasites, and pathogens have dispersed around the world, as
well as how and when they might infect humans now and in the future.
NSF is the primary funding source that provides support to institutions
that preserve at-risk scientific collections. These small grants help
ensure these collections are not destroyed and their data lost.
Please support funding of at least $11 billion for NSF in FY 2023.
Investments in NSF programs that support natural science collections
research and education are essential if we are to maintain our global
leadership in innovation and biodiversity research.
In addition to appropriations, Congress is currently considering
multiple proposals to significantly expand NSF's mission and budget.
The proposed investments in technological research will enable the
biodiversity collections community to build the cyberinfrastructure and
databases necessary to mobilize biodiversity data in ways that bolster
21st century science and drive innovation. We applaud these efforts to
invest in our Nation's scientific and technological enterprise and urge
that robust investments also be made in basic and foundational
research.
Furthermore, we also request that Congress provide additional
economic relief--such as the provisions outlined in the RISE Act
(HR.869, S.289) that are now part of the U.S. Innovation and
Competition Act (S. 1260)--to the U.S. research community, including
natural history museums, botanical gardens, and other science centers,
that have suffered significant budget disruptions resulting from
reduced public attendance or closures associated with responding to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for
your prior support of the National Science Foundation.
[This statement was submitted by Gil Nelson, PhD, President]
______
Prepared Statement of The Nature Conservancy
Chair Cartwright, Ranking Member Aderholt and members of the
subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the fiscal
year 2023 (FY2) appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a nonprofit
working around the world to conserve the lands and waters on which all
life depends. TNC appreciates Congress's work last year to pass the
bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These
investments complement but do not supplant the need for ongoing program
funding through the appropriations process. The subcommittee
acknowledged that need when it included moderate by necessary program
increases for NOAA in the FY22 omnibus spending bill. We again ask you
to provide a robust appropriations package that will serve as the
foundation for implementing the IIJA and ensuring long-term success for
critical programs under the subcommittee's jurisdiction.
Investment in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes restoration and
management can be part of the country's economic recovery. Each year,
the ocean and coastal economies contribute $304 billion to the Nation's
GDP and 3.3 million jobs. NOAA's funding keeps that economic engine
running. It helps NOAA catalyze local and regional action and reduces
risk and saves money based on the tangible economic and societal
benefits that natural resources provide. The demand for NOAA's products
and technical and financial assistance exceeds available funding. The
NOAA budget levels detailed below represent a prudent investment in the
United States' future.
national ocean service
Title IX Fund--National Coastal Resilience Fund Grants.--TNC
supports no less than the FY22 enacted funding of $34 million, and
requests at least $5 million be set aside for planning, technical
assistance, and assessment activities. In an otherwise strong budget,
the administration has proposed to terminate this critical grant
program. The National Coastal Resilience Fund provides the resources
and tools to build coastal resilience to avoid costly Federal disaster
assistance and sustain healthy fisheries, maintain robust tourism
opportunities, provide for increased shipping demands and support other
coastal industries. Throughout its budget request, NOAA emphasizes the
need to make its climate products and services more available to the
communities that need them. It is profoundly inconsistent with that
need to terminate the very grants that enable communities to reduce
their climate risks. While IIJA did provide temporary supplemental
funding for these grants, the reality is demand for this funding far
exceeds even this increased amount at a time when the country is facing
an increase in billion-dollar climate-related disasters. More funding
for planning and technical assistance will help more communities access
future grants and leverage other funding to implement the resulting
risk reduction projects. This is particularly important in under-
resourced communities that do not have the capacity to begin this work
on their own and may be particularly vulnerable to disasters. TNC
appreciates Congress's support for this transformational program and
urges the subcommittee to continue to fund it.
Coastal Zone Management and Services.--TNC supports funding of no
less than the requested level of $49.48 million. This level of funding
will provide for continued capacity to provide coastal resilience
technical assistance to communities across the country, including
additional emphasis on under-resourced and underserved communities.
Continued funding of at least $3 million for the Digital Coast
Partnership will support new and improved products, services and
technical assistance to communities through this public-private
partnership. Funding would also support communities through the
development of the next generation of coastal managers via the Coastal
Management and Digital Coast Fellows programs. Providing competitive
salaries and expanded recruitment efforts will enhance the ability to
reach underrepresented communities. This increase will support the
designation process for three new National Estuarine Research Reserves
in Louisiana and Wisconsin to provide better representation and
connectivity of habitats across the system.
Coastal Management Grants.--TNC supports funding of no less than
the FY22 enacted level of $79 million for coastal zone management
grants. TNC collaborates with State and territorial coastal programs
around the country to meet multiple goals for coastal communities,
including economic development, enhancement of public access and
recreation, coastal resilience and conservation of coastal resources.
After years of essentially flat funding, the IIJA provided additional
but temporary funding to support State and territorial coastal zone
management programs expanding coastal resilience and restoration
projects. Continued funding for core grants is necessary to address the
full suite of activities in the approved coastal programs.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS).--TNC supports
funding of no less than the FY22 enacted level of $29.7 million. NERRS
partners with States and territories to ensure long-term education,
stewardship and research on estuarine habitats. The reserves advance
knowledge and estuary stewardship and serve as a scientific foundation
for coastal management decisions. By using local management needs to
help shape research, NERRS aims to fill critical gaps. This funding
would maintain the capacity of NERRS to conduct research and monitoring
and incorporate this research into training and technical assistance to
local communities. With the designation of the new NERRS in Connecticut
earlier this year, it is important to maintain core funding so as not
to dilute efforts across the system.
Coral Reef Conservation Program.--TNC supports the requested level
of $34 million. The modest increase will help NOAA, States, territories
and community, research, and non-governmental partners address the
continued decline of coral reefs. This decline has had significant
social, economic and ecological impacts on people and communities in
the United States and around the world. TNC works with NOAA's Coral
Reef Conservation Program under a competitively awarded, multiyear
cooperative agreement to address the top threats to coral reef
ecosystems: changing ocean conditions, overfishing and land-based
sources of pollution. Together, TNC and NOAA develop place-based
strategies, measure the effectiveness of management efforts, and build
capacity among reef managers.
Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas.--TNC supports the requested
level of $86.771 million. National marine sanctuaries support economic
growth and hundreds of coastal businesses in sanctuary communities,
preserve vibrant underwater and maritime treasures for Americans to
enjoy and provide critical public access for more than 42 million
visitors each year. Through a transparent, inclusive approach, the
marine sanctuaries provide for the conservation of marine resources
while balancing multiple uses and diverse stakeholder needs. The
increased funding would enable expanded engagement with partners,
underrepresented communities, Tribes and Indigenous communities;
increase capacity for protection, conservation and stewardship; and
support the designation process for five community-nominated candidate
sites.
national marine fisheries service (nmfs)
Fisheries and Ecosystem Science Programs and Services.--TNC
supports the requested level of $180.246 million. Science is the
foundation of successful fisheries management. While many gains have
been achieved, there remain unfunded opportunities in each NMFS region,
especially related to electronic monitoring and reporting (EM/ER). NMFS
has also begun a fisheries information management modernization effort
that would enhance its capacity to take in, integrate and make
accessible data from a variety of sources to improve management.
Modernizing data management would support the implementation of related
science efforts. This includes the proposed $10 million for enhanced
science and assessments as part of the cross-program Climate,
Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative and the proposed $8.669 million to
enhance the ability to conduct offshore wind assessments to understand
and mitigate potential impacts in support of these vital renewable
energy developments. The enhanced research capacity would help fill
gaps in stock productivity, fisheries adaptations, improve future
projections and risk assessments and translate these efforts into
management strategies to support decision-makers.
Habitat Conservation and Restoration.--TNC supports no less than
the requested level of $61.353 million. NOAA funding for coastal
habitat restoration supports, on average, 15 jobs per $1 million
invested and up to 30 jobs per $1 million spent on labor-intensive
restoration projects. Project funds are awarded on a competitive basis
and typically leverage the resources and capacity of multiple partners.
While habitat restoration activities did receive a temporary
supplemental increase through the IIJA, base program funding is
necessary to support the timely implementation of those awards and the
other core functions of the program. This includes NOAA's consultations
on and implementation of Essential Fish Habitat. The Regional Fishery
Management Councils address fishing impacts on these areas, and NOAA
must have sufficient capacity to provide technical assistance to the
councils and to work with Federal agencies to avoid, minimize and
mitigate non-fishing impacts on these important fishery habitats. The
proposed funding would support large-scale habitat restoration to build
climate resilience as well as competitive grants for multiyear awards
to develop restoration planning, project design and permitting and
project implementation.
Fisheries Management Programs and Services.--TNC supports no less
than the requested level of $149.081 million. With a $214 billion
fisheries and seafood sector, U.S. fishing communities rely on
management services and information from NOAA to make the most informed
decisions on where, how and when to fish. NOAA Fisheries has made
important strides in addressing these challenges and strengthening
fisheries management. Support for these efforts is necessary to recover
fish stocks so they can provide food and jobs now and in the future.
Increased funding will enable NOAA to take the next steps to better
incorporate ecosystem and changing climate considerations into
management activities. The proposed $6.155 million in funding would
increase consultation capacity to assess the effects of planned
renewable offshore energy activities.
Observers and Training.--TNC supports no less than the FY22 enacted
level of $57 million, including $10.3 million to fully fund industry
costs for at-sea monitoring in the New England multispecies fishery.
This funding should cover both electronic monitoring and observers.
After several years of collaborative work with fishery participants,
scientists and other stakeholders, NOAA approved the New England
Fishery Management Council's proposal to increase monitoring on
groundfish vessels to 100 percent for a period of at least 4 years if,
and only if, funding is available to support it. Because of ongoing
support from Congress to develop electronic monitoring systems,
fishermen can now meet the at-sea monitoring requirement with these
systems or observers. Continued funding along with leveraged private
funding should provide sufficient resources to aid in the near-term
transition to increased monitoring and expand the use of electronic
monitoring.
Fisheries Data Collections, Surveys and Assessments.--TNC supports
no less than the requested level of $212.095 million. Limited or poor-
quality information on the status of fishery stocks undermines the
effectiveness of fisheries management and can erode community support
for conservation measures. Within this proposed increase, $11.5 million
would provide long-needed funding to expand surveys, sampling and
analysis capabilities to better track shifting species as part of the
cross-program Climate, Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative. The funding
would increase the use of technology to conduct surveys, a capacity
that became increasingly important when the pandemic disrupted data
collection. Also within the proposed increase, $17.38 million would
establish a national program to mitigate the potential impacts of
renewable energy activities on NMFS scientific surveys.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF).--TNC supports the
request level of $65 million. PCSRF has funded hundreds of successful
on-the-ground salmon conservation efforts, but habitat project needs
exceed available funding. PCSRF has catalyzed thousands of partnerships
among federal, State, local and Tribal governments and conservation,
business and community organizations.
Protected Resources Science and Management.--TNC supports the
requested level of $239.965 million. Within this increase is $10
million for the competitive Species Recovery Grants to enable the
agency to strengthen and expand state, Tribal and territorial
partnerships to address the growing number of listed species and allow
for larger-scale, ecosystem-level recovery efforts. Additional listed
species and emerging offshore wind activities have increased the number
and complexity of NOAA's consultation and permitting requirements.
Funding is needed to aid NOAA's ability to complete these requirements
in a timely and predictable manner.
Thank you for this opportunity to share TNC's priorities. Please
contact me if you have questions or would like additional information.
[This statement was submitted by Stephanie Bailenson, Senior Policy
Advisor for the Ocean and Coasts]
______
Prepared Statement of New England Innocence Project and the National
Innocence Network
My name is Cynthia Mousseau and I serve as a Staff Attorney at the
New England Innocence Project (NEIP). On behalf of NEIP and as a member
of the Innocence Network, a coalition of approximately 60 local
innocence organizations working to exonerate the innocent and prevent
wrongful convictions nationwide, thank you for the subcommittee's
critical funding increases and strong support for innocence and
forensic science programs in FY22. Thank you also for allowing me to
submit written testimony for the record as you consider appropriations
requests for FY23. I urge you to please increase funding for the
following programs at the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the
Department of Justice and at the National Institute of Standards and
Technology at the Department of Commerce, including:
--$20 million for the Wrongful Conviction Review Program at the
Department of Justice's (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance
(BJA) (the Wrongful Conviction Review Program is part of the
Capital Litigation Improvement Program);
--$20 million for the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing
Program at DOJ/BJA
--$25 million for the Department of Commerce's National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) to support and conduct
foundational forensic science research, including $2 million
for technical merit evaluations.
These innocence and forensic science programs endeavor to increase
the fairness and accuracy of the criminal legal system; address
arbitrary racial disparities and inequities; provide the strongest
possible forensic science tools to legal system stakeholders; and
generate greater public safety for our Nation.
Data from the National Registry of Exonerations show that the
number of exonerations has significantly increased since Federal
innocence programs--the Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing and
Wrongful Convictions Review programs--began receiving funding in 2008
and 2009, respectively. Between 2009 and 2016, the total number of
exonerations increased by 84%. This dramatic increase is in part a
result of the decision to invest in these programs.
2020 set the record for the highest number of years individuals
lost to being wrongfully convicted--an average of 13.4 years per
exoneree. More than 27,000 life years have been lost to wrongful
incarceration. The National Registry of Exonerations currently lists
more than 3,100 exonerations since 1989. Half of the people exonerated
are Black, and innocent Black people spend approximately 45% longer
wrongfully imprisoned than innocent white people. This racial disparity
holds true across different types of convictions. Investing in
innocence and forensic science progams helps to increase the accuracy,
equity, and integrity of the criminal legal system.
The New England Innocence Project (NEIP), headquarted in
Massachussetts, is the only innocence organization serving Vermont,
Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Federal grant funds help expand
its reach into States that have insufficient resources to meet their
needs. In fact, as a direct result of a grant from FY21, NEIP will be
litigating its first case in New Hampshire, a State that has not
enjoyed robust post-conviction litigation to date. With the support of
Federal funds, NEIP has provided direct representation and/or support
that has resulted in 16 exonerations over the past 17 years. 5 recently
released exonerees collectively spent 160 years in prison.
Additionally, NEIP has: (1) been able to provide more significant
support to exonerees upon their release from prison through our
Exoneree Network, which is lead and run by exonerees; (2) conducted
numerous trainings throughout New England for prosecutors, defense
attorneys, law enforcement, judges, and the public to raise awareness
and prevent causes of wrongful conviction; and (3) expanded our staff
to include work on pre-trial issues that will prevent wrongful
convictions from occurring.
Cases without DNA evidence are difficult and often take many years
to complete. It is a long, arduous, and resource intensive process to
prove an individual's innocence after he/she has been wrongfully
convicted. An average case at NEIP requires years of work and thousands
of dollars to adequately investigate and litigate. During this long
time period, the innocent person is languishing behind bars.
Freeing innocent individuals and preventing wrongful convictions
through reform also greatly benefits public safety. Every time DNA
identifies a wrongful conviction, it enables the possible
identification of the person who actually committed the crime. Such
true perpetrators have been identified in more than half of the 375 DNA
exoneration cases. Unfortunately, many of these individuals went on to
commit additional crimes while an innocent person was convicted and
incarcerated in their place.
The value of Federal innocence programs and forensic science
research is not only for exonerated people, but for all stakeholders in
the criminal justice system. It is important to fund these important
Federal programs because reforms and procedures that help to identify,
remediate, and prevent wrongful convictions also enhance the accuracy
of criminal investigations, strengthen criminal prosecutions, and
result in a fairer and more accountable system of justice that provides
true justice to victims of crime.
wrongful conviction review program
We know that wrongful convictions occur in cases where DNA evidence
may be insufficient or unavailable to prove innocence. The National
Registry of Exonerations currently lists more than 3,100 exonerations
since 1989, the vast majority of which did not have the presence or
benefit of testable DNA. The Wrongful Conviction Review Program
provides critical support to ensure that experts are available to
navigate the complex landscape of post-conviction litigation, as well
as oversee the thousands of volunteer hours local innocence
organizations leverage to help investigate these complex non-DNA cases
and support the significant legal work they require. The Wrongful
Conviction Review Program has contributed to approximately 50
exonerations over the past few years with more in the pipeline.
For example, in 2019, Darrell Jones, who was wrongfully convicted
of murder and served 32 years, was freed as a result of the work of the
Committee for Public Counsel Services Innocence Program. The Wrongful
Conviction Review Program provided funding that enabled his team to
hire an investigator who identified exculpatory witnesses as well as
two forensic experts. In 2020, Arturo Jimenez, who was wrongfully
convicted of murder and served 25 years, was freed because the Wrongful
Conviction Review program funded an investigator who uncovered key
evidence that helped the Northern California Innocence Project secure
his exoneration.
The Wrongful Conviction Review Program provides funding to local
innocence organizations, such as NEIP, so that they may provide this
type of expert, high quality, and efficient representation for innocent
individuals. The program's goals also are to help alleviate burdens
placed on the criminal legal system through costly and prolonged post-
conviction litigation and to identify, when possible, the person who
actually committed the crime.
In recent years, only a few local innocence organizations received
Wrongful Conviction Review funding during each grant cycle. Even with
the FY22 funding increase, there is still a need to expand this program
further to resolve the long waiting lists of wrongfully convicted
individuals--lists that are often hundreds of individuals long for just
an individual innocence organization. These cases require evaluation,
investigation, and often representation, which helps to improve the
fairness and reliability of the criminal legal system. We urge you to
provide $20 million for the Wrongful Conviction Review Program in FY23.
(Please note that the Wrongful Conviction Review grant program is a
part of the Capital Litigation Improvement Program.)
I also urge you to include in the FY23 report for the Commerce,
Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill the final
FY22 report language for the Wrongful Conviction Review program. It
described the need for legal representation and investigation services
for individuals with post-conviction claims of innocence. It also
directed at least 50 percent of funds appropriated to the Capital
Litigation Improvement and Wrongful Conviction Review grant programs
support Wrongful Conviction Review grantees providing high quality and
efficient post-conviction representation for defendants in post-
conviction claims of innocence. It also clarified that Wrongful
Conviction Review grantees shall be nonprofit organizations,
institutions of higher education, and/or State or local public defender
offices that have in-house post-conviction representation programs that
show demonstrable experience and competence in litigating
postconviction claims of innocence. Finally, the report language
directed that grant funds shall support grantee provision of post-
conviction legal representation of innocence claims; case review,
evaluation, and management; experts; potentially exonerative forensic
testing; and investigation services related to supporting these post-
conviction innocence claims.
the bloodsworth post-conviction dna testing program
The Bloodsworth Program supports States and localities that want to
pursue post-conviction DNA testing in appropriate cases, and grantees
range from State and local prosecutor offices to law enforcement
agencies and crime labs. These grantees can collaborate with local
innocence organizations when appropriate. For example, a grant to
Arizona allowed the State's Attorney General's Office to partner with
the Arizona Justice Project to create the Post-Conviction DNA Testing
Project. This effort canvassed incarcerated individuals in Arizona,
reviewed cases, located evidence, and filed joint requests with the
court to have evidence released for DNA testing. In addition to
identifying the innocent, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard noted
that the ``grant enable[d] [his] office to support local prosecutors
and ensure that those who have committed violent crimes are identified
and behind bars.''
The Bloodsworth program is a powerful investment for States seeking
to free innocent individuals and identify the individuals who actually
committed the crimes. The program has resulted in the exonerations of
at least 54 wrongfully convicted persons in 14 States. The person who
actually committed the crime was identified in 13 of those cases. In
2020, an additional 5 people were exonerated through the program. The
success of this program both in generating individual exonerations
while supporting broader system review when problems arise has made it
popular--DOJ has reported previously that it has received twice as many
qualified applicants as it has funding to grant.
For example, Virginian Thomas Haynesworth, who was wrongfully
incarcerated for 27 years, was freed thanks to Bloodsworth-funded DNA
testing that also revealed the person who actually committed the crime.
The culpable person in that case went on to terrorize the community by
attacking 12 women, with most of the attacks and rapes occurring while
Mr. Haynesworth was wrongfully incarcerated. Given the importance of
this program to both innocent individuals and public safety, I urge you
to provide the $20 million to continue and expand the work of the
Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Program in FY23.
forensic science improvement
To continue the critical work to improve forensic science, and help
prevent wrongful convictions, I urge you to provide $25 million for
NIST to support foundational forensic science research, including $2
million to conduct technical merit evaluations.
As the Federal entity that is both perfectly positioned and
institutionally constituted to conduct foundational forensic science
research, NIST's work will improve the validity and reliability of
forensic evidence, a need cited by the National Academy of Sciences
2009 report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A
Path Forward. NIST's reputation for innovation will result in
technological solutions to advance forensic science applications and
achieve a tremendous cost savings by reducing court costs posed by
litigating scientific evidence.
Additionally, some forensic science methods have not yet received
an evaluation of their technical merit and NIST needs additional
support to conduct these vital reviews. The forensic science activities
and research at NIST will help to improve forensic disciplines and
propel forensic science and the criminal legal system toward greater
accuracy and reliability, and as a result, help prevent wrongful
convictions and improve system equity.
conclusion
Thank you for your leadership in ensuring the accuracy, equity, and
integrity of our Nation's criminal justice system. I urge you to
support all of the aforementioned programs, including the Wrongful
Conviction Review and Bloodsworth grant programs, as well as NIST
forensic science research. If you have questions or need additional
information, please contact Jenny Collier, Federal Policy Advisor to
the Innocence Project, at [email protected].
[This statement was submitted by Cynthia Mousseau, JD]
______
Prepared Statement of New Hampshire Superior Court
Chairwoman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished members
of the subcommittee, I am honored to have the opportunity to submit my
testimony on behalf of our country's nearly 4,000 treatment court
programs and the 150,000 people they will connect to lifesaving
addiction and mental health treatment this year alone. Given the
ongoing substance use crisis, I am requesting that Congress provide
funding of $95 million for the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program
and $29 million for the Veterans Treatment Court Grant Program at the
Department of Justice for fiscal year 2023.
I serve as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court. In
nearly two decades on the bench, I have never seen a program more
effective than treatment courts, including drug courts and veterans
treatment courts, at promoting public health while upholding the
justice system's promise to protect public safety. Like many of my
fellow judges, I felt frustrated by the limited options available in
the traditional court model to change the behavior of offenders I was
seeing in the court room repeatedly. When I began presiding over drug
court in Rockingham County in 2006, I saw a new, more effective
approach. Treatment court programs address the unique underlying
conditions of each participant. Strong empirical evidence shows that
treatment courts not only reduce crime, but also save lives and reunite
families by connecting participants to evidence-based treatment
services and recovery support. In my home state of New Hampshire,
treatment court graduates have a 90 percent employment rate, and 78
percent of graduates do not reoffend within 2 years. New Hampshire
treatment courts cost $9 per day compared to $84 per day it costs to
incarcerate someone.
Just one of many success stories from New Hampshire is Nick, who
was just 13 when his relationship with alcohol started. From there, he
became more and more dependent on different substances. For a long
time, he was able to hold down a job while trying to raise two children
with his partner, who also struggled with addiction. But Nick's
substance use caught up to him in 2012, when he was sent to prison for
the first time. Nick said his time in prison hardened him, and instead
of turning his life around, he just ``learned new tricks'' to keep up
his old habits. After his first 2 years in prison, he turned to
methamphetamine and heroin. He lost custody of his children and
experienced homelessness and more stints in jail. Nick tried treatment
but could not stay sober for long. When he came to treatment court, he
was feeling hopeless and suicidal. The treatment court program provided
both the accountability and the treatment he needed to change. In
treatment court, Nick, like other participants, was assessed by a
multidisciplinary team and given an individualized treatment plan
designed by substance use treatment professionals using evidence-based
methods. Instead of being put behind bars, they set a goal of and path
to long-term recovery and supervised him every step of the way. The
treatment court team gave Nick a new understanding of his substance use
disorder and a real desire for change. Drug court also gave him
something else he'd been missing: hope. I'm happy to say that Nick has
been in active recovery for years. He got his driver's license back,
started his own carpentry business, and got engaged. Most importantly,
he was reunited with his two children, of whom he now has full custody.
He is proud to be a father and says he is now ``someone who shows up,
and who is responsible, peaceful, and kind.''
Nick isn't alone in his success. Treatment courts have connected
1.5 million people struggling with substance use and mental health
disorders with evidence-based treatment options, including medication
for addiction treatment when appropriate, tailored to their specific
needs. Together, the court team offers the tools to overcome substance
use disorder and past trauma to create true recovery and healthy
relationships.
I have seen hundreds of individuals in our justice system overcome
their substance use or mental health disorders and became productive
citizens in their communities. Most, like Nick, go on to start careers
and raise families, and many now help others in the horrible position
they were once in themselves. I can say for certain that the treatment
court model deserves credit for the health and restored lives of these
individuals. I can also say that New Hampshire, like many other States,
is not immune to the deadly opioid epidemic. This crisis continues to
bring to the fore the critical need to ensure all people, even those
whose substance use leads to trouble with the law, have access to
treatment, including medication for addiction treatment when
appropriate. While there is no single solution to the opioid crisis,
for individuals before the courts with a severe substance use or mental
health disorder, treatment courts are a key solution to the crisis.
There is overwhelming empirical evidence that shows the
effectiveness of treatment court programs. The Government
Accountability Office finds the drug court model reduces crime by up to
58 percent. Further, the Department of Justice's Multi-Site Adult Drug
Court Evaluation confirmed drug treatment courts significantly reduce
both drug use and crime, while saving taxpayer money-an average of
$6,000 saved for every individual served. Other benefits include
improved employment, financial stability, housing, and family
reunification. Veterans treatment courts expand on the drug court model
to include veteran justice outreach specialists from the Department of
Veterans Affairs, volunteer veteran mentors from the community, and
other local, State, and Federal resources, and have proven equally
effective. It is critical that we have interventions like veterans
treatment court in place to ensure that when our heroes return home, if
they do struggle, they have the treatment, structure, and support to
transform their lives.
Continued support for the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program at
the Department of Justice ensures the nearly 4,000 treatment courts in
the United States today provide critical services to those in need,
while keeping communities safe. But we know there are many individuals
who still need this opportunity. I strongly urge this subcommittee to
recommend funding of $95 million to the Drug Court Discretionary Grant
Program and $29 million to the Veterans Treatment Court Grant Program
in fiscal year 2023 so treatment courts in New Hampshire and across the
country can continue to save lives, reunite families, and keep our
communities healthy and safe.
[This statement was submitted by the Honorable Tina Nadeau, Chief
Justice]
______
Prepared Statement of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC)
Chair Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member Kerry Moran and Honorable
Members of the subcommittee, my name is Ed Johnstone, and I am the
Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC). The NWIFC
is composed of the 20 Tribes that are party to United States v.
Washington, which upheld the Tribes' treaty-reserved right to harvest
and manage various natural resources on and off-reservation, including
salmon and shellfish. On behalf of the NWIFC, I'm providing testimony
for the record on the natural resource and fishery management program
funding requests for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23)
appropriations. These programs support the management of salmon
fisheries, which contribute to a robust natural resource-based economy
and the continued exercise of Tribal treaty rights to fish. Given the
onslaught of pressures we face, it is now more important than ever for
the Federal trustee to support management, supplementation, and
restoration of fisheries--vital to the Tribes physical, cultural and
economic wellbeing, as well as an important link in our Nation's food
supply chain.
summary of fy23 appropriations requests
--$70.0 million plus for NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
--$7.0 million for NOAA Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans
--$43.5 million for NOAA Pacific Salmon Treaty
--$26.5 million for NOAA Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs
The member Tribes of the NWIFC ceded much of the land that is now
western Washington in exchange for reserving the continued right to
harvest and manage various natural resources including salmon and
shellfish. Salmon are the foundation of Tribal cultures, traditions and
economies in western Washington. To ensure that Tribal treaty rights
and lifeways are protected, it is essential that the Federal Government
provide support to all aspects of salmon management including, harvest
planning and implementation (e.g. Pacific Salmon Treaty), hatchery
production, (e.g. Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs and Hatchery and
Genetic Management Plans) and habitat protection and restoration (e.g.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund).
justification of requests
Provide, at a minimum, $70.0 million for NOAA Pacific Coastal Salmon
Recovery Fund (PCSRF) and preferably restore funding to FY02
levels ($110.0 million)
We respectfully request, at a minimum, $70.0 million for PCSRF,
which is an increase of $5.0 million over the FY22 enacted level and
President's Budget Request of $65.0 million. It is worth noting that
this request is a significant departure from the PCSRF peak level of
$110.0 million in FY02 or subsequent years in which appropriations were
maintained upwards of $80.0 million through FY11. We ultimately would
like to see PCSRF funding fully restored to FY02 levels. This level of
funding would help carry out the original congressional intent of these
funds to support the Federal Government's obligations to salmon
recovery and the treaty fishing rights of the Tribes. However, we
understand that budget restriction may require Congress to take a more
incremental approach toward this end goal.
The PCSRF is a multi-State, multi-Tribe program established by
Congress in FY00 with a primary goal to help recover dwindling salmon
populations throughout the Pacific coast region. Through PCSRF, Tribes
work collaboratively to help protect and restore salmon habitat to
increase natural salmon productivity. To accomplish this, Tribes
implement scientifically based salmon recovery plans developed for each
watershed in concert with federal, State, and local partners. Tribes
also participate in sustainable harvest management activities such as
monitoring fish abundance, which is then used to forecast adult returns
and subsequently develop annual harvest rates that achieve conservation
objectives and provide for Tribal and non-Tribal harvest opportunities.
Since its inception, PCSRF has been the primary salmon recovery
response. This has resulted in the restoration and protection of over
1.1 million acres of spawning and rearing habitat and re-established
salmon access to more than 11,489 miles (as of FY20) of previously
inaccessible streams in our region.
Provide $7.0 million for NOAA Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans
(within NOAA--Pacific Salmon)
We respectfully request $7.0 million to support review, approval
and implementation of Hatchery and Genetic Management Plans (HGMPs). We
also respectfully request continued report language to ensure funding
passed through to the Tribes can be used to implement approved HGMPs.
We recommend that the overarching Pacific Salmon account be funded at
$78.0 million to accommodate this request and ensure maintenance of
existing programs and agency requests. This recommendation is $11.0
million above FY22 enacted level of $67.0 million and $4.858 million
above the President's Budget Request of $73.142 million.
Review and approval of HGMPs is necessary to provide hatcheries
with Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage and implementation of the
plans is necessary to accomplish their conservation goals. NMFS uses
the information provided by HGMPs to evaluate the impacts of State and
tribally operated hatcheries on salmon and steelhead listed under the
ESA and recommends improvements to operations to meet conservation
objectives. With the lack of improvement in salmon stocks, hatchery
operations have become even more important to achieving recovery goals
and maintenance of salmon fisheries. However, the lack of improvement
in natural origin salmon has also resulted in scrutinizing hatcheries
for their potential genetic impacts on natural spawning populations.
This has resulted in increasingly specific performance standards and
management expectations included in Tribes' HGMPs.
Implementing the activities described in the HGMPs includes
biological monitoring and evaluation of hatchery programs. Monitoring
and evaluation assess whether the goals of the program are being met
and ensures the compatibility of the program with regional and co-
management salmon recovery plans. These monitoring and evaluation
programs generally involve various methodologies to monitor the
juvenile fish released by the hatchery, sample the returning adult
fish, and evaluate the interactions of hatchery and wild fish.
Tribes need help addressing the escalating costs of hatchery
management associated with the monitoring and adaptive management
practices called for by HGMPs. For example, requirements to closely
monitor natural and hatchery produced salmon interactions on the
spawning ground are costly and time-intensive. Therefore, it is
essential that HGMP funding is increased to address these rising costs
and that flexibility is provided to ensure that funding can be used by
the Tribes to implement the plans' recommendations, which both the
Federal Government and Tribes have extensively invested in.
Provide $43.5 million to implement the National commitments in the
Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements (within NOAA--Salmon
Management Activities)
We support the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) U.S. Section's FY23
request of $43.5 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty line within
Salmon Management Activities, an increase of $4.0 million over the FY22
enacted level of $39.5 million. Included in this request is $3.06
million for annual operational costs for hatchery conservation
programs, $2.33 million for habitat restoration for Puget Sound
critical stocks, $4,110,000 for Southeast Alaska Chinook Salmon Fishery
mitigation, and $4,470,000 to increase prey availability for Southern
Resident Killer Whales.
The FY23 request would support implementation of the National
commitments in the renegotiated Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) Annex
Chapters. The recommended funding is also necessary to meet the
requirements of the biological opinion for listed species and supports
effective, science-based implementation of negotiated salmon fishing
arrangements and abundance-based management approaches for Chinook,
southern Coho, and Northern Boundary and Transboundary River salmon
fisheries.
Adult salmon returning to most western Washington streams migrate
through U.S. and Canadian waters and are harvested by fishers from both
countries. For years, there were no restrictions on the interception of
returning salmon by fishers of neighboring countries. Eventually, the
U.S. and Canada agreed to cooperate on the management of salmon by
developing and ratifying the PST in 1985. The PSC was created to
implement the PST and is responsible for developing management
recommendations and assessing compliance with the treaty. Negotiations
to revise the provisions of the Annex Chapters were successfully
completed in 2018 and 2019. These chapters contain the specifics for
implementing the treaty for each species in each geographic area. These
revised chapters represent the combined efforts of the participants to
ensure healthy salmon populations for the next 10 years, and as such
include commitments from the U.S. to improve current management
strategies.
Provide $26.5 million for NOAA Mitchell Act Hatchery Programs (within
NOAA--Salmon Management Activities)
We respectfully request $26.5 million for the Mitchell Act Hatchery
Programs, an increase of $3.5 million over the FY22 enacted level of
$22.0 million. The request for this additional increase in Mitchell Act
funds is needed to ensure that mitigation hatcheries operate at full
production level to meet Federal obligations. This program is funded
through the Salmon Management Activities subactivity.
Mitchell Act hatchery production is intended to mitigate for fish
and habitat loss caused by the Federal hydropower dam system on the
Columbia River. Funding for these programs supports the operation and
maintenance of hatcheries that release around 42 million juvenile
salmon and steelhead in Oregon and Washington. This represents about 30
percent of the total hatchery salmon and steelhead released in the
Columbia River Basin. Adequate funding for Mitchell Act hatcheries is
of particular importance to us because it supports salmon production
for Tribal treaty harvest along the Washington coast. Additionally,
adequate funding to ensure full production from the Mitchell Act
hatcheries dampens the impact of Canadian and Alaskan ocean fisheries
on Washington and Tribal fisheries under the terms of the PST.
conclusion
The treaties between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes, as
well as the treaty-reserved rights to harvest, manage and consume fish
and shellfish, are the ``supreme law of the land'' under the U.S.
Constitution (Article VI). It is, therefore, critically important for
Congress and the Federal Government to provide continued support in
upholding the treaty obligations and carrying out its trust
responsibilities. An important component of these obligations is to
fully fund the sustainable salmon fisheries management programs that
provide for improved harvest planning, hatchery production and habitat
management. We respectfully urge you to continue to support our efforts
to protect and restore our treaty-reserved rights and natural resources
that in turn will provide for thriving ecosystems and economies for
both Indian and non-Indian communities alike. Thank you.
[This statement was submitted by Ed Johnstone, Chairman]
______
Prepared Statement of OpenSecrets
Dear Chairman Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished members
of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and
Science, and Related Agencies:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony before
the Committee to discuss fiscal year 2023 budget priorities regarding
the modernization of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a
statute intended to inform the American public of foreign influence and
lobbying operations attempting to impact U.S. policy or public opinion.
This written testimony is respectfully offered on behalf of
OpenSecrets to the Committee for use during its consideration of
Department of Justice funding and for inclusion in the official
committee record.
OpenSecrets is a nonpartisan nonprofit research organization
tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public
policy. Our vision is for Americans across the ideological spectrum to
be empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money's
role in the U.S. political system and to use that knowledge to
strengthen our democracy.
Activities of foreign agents and lobbyists divulged under FARA are
a subject of sustained public interest. In this testimony, we
respectfully request that the Committee include report language
directing a review of the U.S. Department of Justice's implementation
of FARA and a comprehensive audit of the use of the Lobbying Disclosure
Act (LDA) exemption that will both be publicly accessible.
A publicly-accessible report to Congress is necessary to evaluate
the feasibility and steps needed to require all filings by foreign
agents to be made in an electronic, machine-processable electronic
format yielding structured data. This would allow users to search and
sort or download FARA data, ensuring the same level of accountability
from lobbyists representing foreign interests as domestic ones.
The Justice Department Inspector General's 2016 ``Audit of the
National Security Division's Enforcement and Administration of the
Foreign Agents Registration Act'' \1\ included 14 recommendations to
improve NSD's enforcement and administration of FARA. With regard to e-
filing, the inspector general report recommended ``that e-file develop
with timeliness as a consideration.''
Despite recommendations from the Department's Inspector General and
outside experts, the Justice Department has been slow to implement
changes to improve the public's access to information about foreign
influence and lobbying intended to impact U.S. policy or public
opinion.
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\1\ https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2016/a1624.pdf.
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In September 2019, the Department of Justice launched new features
enabling registrants to submit data through a web-form yielding some
standardized data. While we believe this is a step in the right
direction, only initial registrations are required to be submitted this
way, so information reported in some of the most important records such
as semi-annual supplemental statements may remain trapped in less
accessible formats.
Continuing implementation of a modernized FARA reporting system
that collects detailed structured data would provide the tools
necessary for better oversight and ensure information about foreign
influence is provided in an accurate, complete, and timely manner.
The current e-filing system requires filers to submit data in
either image or PDF formats. Yet, much of the supplemental,
registration, and amendment information is originally produced in
electronic formats, such as CSV files. Image and PDF formatted files
destroy critical aspects of the included data, and cannot be marked for
sensitive information or be used for automated calculations. It is
virtually impossible to transform a PDF into a structured spreadsheet
that supports analysis and reuse of the information. Even the basic
disclosure of how much money foreign actors spend to influence U.S.
policy and public opinion can be obscured, leaving the American public
in the dark about how our laws are shaped and influenced.
The DOJ FARA unit should continue developing systems for users to
submit information in structured data formats. A sample template could
allow registrants to standardize their responses in formats that could
easily be processed by computers. This would streamline the processing
of data by the FARA Unit, enabling faster review and more uniform
reporting.
Structured data yielded from e-filing could optimize this process,
improving the quality, utility, and clarity of information collected by
the FARA Unit. Structured data would also enable Federal officials to
more efficiently identify potential issues with filings as they come in
or even set automated detection systems.
Examples of problems that would be ameliorated by this change
include the accidental release of sensitive personal information such
as bank account numbers and the prevalence of inaccurate reports to
Congress caused by miscalculations or incomputable data.
Registrants working on behalf of foreign principals are only
required to file a supplemental statement every 6 months and
registrants often wait even longer so reported dates of receipt can
sometimes occur in a different year than the work happened.
Structured data on the payment amounts registrants report in
question 14(a) of the supplemental statement shows when the payments
actually took place rather than just the date at the end of the
reporting period covered by the supplemental statement. This would
ensure totals reflect amendments or retroactively filed supplemental
statements that may be filed after the Report to Congress covering a
period is compiled would allow for a more complete and accurate picture
of activities reported under FARA. Sometimes amendments result in a
lower amount of spending being reported than was in the initial
supplemental statement and other times additional previously unreported
spending is reported so it could cause differences in both directions.
Cataloging information about the purpose of receipts or
disbursements in the structured data would streamline extrication of
activities required to be reported under FARA from any non-FARA
registerable activities that may also be included in a filing.
While it is a simpler system, by way of comparison, new
registrations under the LDA must be filed to Congress electronically,
are published as structured data, and made available to the public.
More parity between disclosure requirements under the LDA and FARA is
necessary to ensure at least the same level of transparency from
lobbyists representing foreign interests as domestic.
We recognize the importance of addressing concerns about
information security as part of modernization. A computer virus can
hide inside most types of file formats.
When accessing those files, it is important to have an up-to-date
virus scanner. However, there are file formats, known as ``plain-
text,'' that are generally recognized as safe. For spreadsheets, this
includes files in CSV format. For documents, this includes documents in
TXT format. In addition, generating spreadsheets as CSV files, and
documents as TXT files, is widely supported across many platforms,
including Microsoft Office and Google Docs, so it is easy for
submitters to generate the files in the required format. In addition,
problems of incomplete and inaccurate data can be addressed through use
of better formats in which the data is filed, including the use of
forms that ensure that users file valid information.
Increased use of unique or common identifiers to represent data,
and wherever possible draw the identifiers from unique IDs used by
other government entities or create crosswalks would allow for more
interoperability of data and for FARA Unit to validate the data upon
entry. It can also increase consistency and accuracy, while making the
process easier on the filer.
Using web-forms or submitting data in other structured formats
across the board would allow the government to provide this information
in an accessible form with little or no additional burden. FARA
reporting is already conducted through an e-filing system that requires
a web browser unless a registrant demonstrates limited access to the
internet. Modernizing FARA's e-filing system can ultimately help ease
the administrative burden associated with FARA registration.
FARA also has a number of exemptions that can be misunderstood or
exploited.
One commonly used exemption enables some foreign agents to claim an
exemption from FARA registration and disclosure rules if they register
as lobbyists under the LDA, a disclosure statute designed to regulate
the activities of domestic lobbyists. Any individuals lobbying on
behalf of a foreign commercial interest, rather than a foreign
government or political party, may evade FARA disclosure requirements
by merely registering under the LDA.
Domestic lobbying records are already required to be filed to
Congress electronically and are immediately converted to structured
data that are available to the public over the Internet. More parity
between disclosure requirements under the LDA and FARA is necessary to
ensure at least the same level of transparency from lobbyists
representing foreign interests as domestic ones.
We respectfully urge the Committee to direct the Comptroller
General of the United States, in consultation with the Inspector
General of the Department of Justice, to conduct a comprehensive audit
of the use of the LDA exemption examining (1) whether the LDA exemption
has contributed to a decline in the number of registrations under FARA;
(2) whether the LDA exemption has contributed to a lack of public
awareness of lobbying activities on behalf of foreign entities; (3) the
impact and feasibility of phasing out the LDA exemption; and (4) how to
develop policy recommendations for increasing compliance with Federal
lobbying registration and disclosure requirements.
We are confident that the report will provide valuable insight to
the American people and pave the way to increased transparency of the
activities disclosed by those foreign agents. We urge you to
appropriate the funding necessary to evaluate modernizing this
invaluable resource.
Our recommendations are based on our experiences using FARA,
including efforts to republish FARA data online in ways that support
greater access and meaningful analysis. OpenSecrets built the Foreign
Lobby Watch database containing foreign lobbying documents and data.
Our reviews of the DOJ's available foreign lobbying records found
significant problems with how the data is currently structured. We've
designed our databases to make up for some of the shortfalls in how
foreign lobbying information is currently made available to the public.
Structured data directly from the government could streamline this
process, improving the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
collected by the FARA Unit.
Thank you for your attention to our concerns on this critical
issue. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you further on
this issue and make any additional recommendations about this or other
important issues before the Committee.
______
Prepared Statement of the Pacific Salmon Commission
Mr. Chairman, and Honorable Members of the Committee, I am W. Ron
Allen, the Tribal Commissioner and Chair for the U.S. Section Budget
Committee of the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC). I am also the Tribal
Chairman/CEO of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe located on the Olympic
Peninsula of Washington State. The U.S. Section prepares annual budgets
for the implementation of the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The implementation
of the Treaty is funded through the Departments of Commerce, Interior
and State.
Department of Commerce funding in support of implementing the
Pacific Salmon Treaty is part of the Salmon Management Activities
account in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) budget. The
United States and Canada completed negotiations of revised Annex
Chapters to the Treaty in 2019. Funding in the Department of Commerce
budget is for the programs to fulfill national commitments created by
the revised Treaty Annex Chapters. The U.S. Section recommends FY 2023
funding of $43,500,000 to implement national commitments created by the
Treaty.
The Department of Commerce principally funds programs conducted by
the States of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska and the NMFS.
However, the cost of programs conducted by the States to fulfill
national commitments created by the Treaty continue to be substantially
greater than the funding provided in the NMFS budget. Consequently, the
States have supplemented the Federal Treaty appropriations from other
sources, including State general funds. Many of those funding sources
are limited or no longer available and this has been exacerbated by the
ongoing global pandemic.
The increases in the FY 2020 budget and in the FY 2021 budget were
greatly appreciated, however it falls short of what the U.S. Section
estimates is needed to fully implement the revised Annex Chapters to
the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
The U.S. Section recommends that the Pacific Salmon Treaty line
item in the Salmon Management Activities section of the NMFS budget be
funded at $43,500,000 for FY 2023. This line item includes $21,400,000
to provide base support for the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon,
and Idaho. NMFS activities to implement the Treaty's conservation and
allocation provisions for Coho, Sockeye, Chinook, Chum, and Pink salmon
fisheries is funded through overhead fees. Effective, science-based
implementation of negotiated salmon fishing arrangements and abundance-
based management approaches for Chinook, southern Coho, and Northern
Boundary and Transboundary River salmon fisheries.
The U.S. Section recommends annual operational costs of $3,060,000
for hatchery conservation programs and $2,330,000 for habitat
restoration for Puget Sound critical stocks, $5,990,000 for Southeast
Alaska Chinook Salmon Fishery Mitigation, and $4,470,000 to increase
prey availability for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The recommended
funding includes $6,250,000 for sound science initiatives to fill key
science gaps and improve fishery management effectiveness. The
recommended funding helps meet requirements of the biological opinion
for species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered
Species Act.
The sound science funding includes recommends restoring the funding
for the Chinook Salmon Agreement line item in Salmon Management
Activities to $1,800,000. This funding supports research and stock
assessments necessary to acquire and analyze the technical information
needed to fully implement the abundance-based Chinook salmon management
program provided for by the Treaty. The States of Alaska, Washington,
Oregon, and Idaho, and the twenty-five Treaty Tribes conduct projects
selected in a rigorous competitive process.
The International Fisheries Commissions line, under Regional
Councils and Fisheries Commissions in the NMFS budget was funded at
$457,000 in FY 2022 and provides the U.S. contribution to bilateral
cooperative salmon enhancement on the transboundary river systems,
which originate in Canada and flow to the sea through Southeast Alaska.
This project was established in 1988 to meet U.S. obligations specified
in the Treaty and annual funding should continue at $475,000 annually.
The core Treaty implementation projects included in the Pacific
Salmon Treaty line, and the U.S. Chinook Agreement line under Salmon
Management Activities, as well as the International Fisheries
Commission line under Regional Councils and Fisheries Commissions
consist of a wide range of stock assessment, fishery monitoring, and
technical support activities for all five species of Pacific salmon in
the fisheries and rivers between Cape Suckling in Alaska to Cape Falcon
in Oregon. The States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the
NMFS conduct a wide range of programs for salmon stock abundance
assessment, escapement enumeration, stock distribution, and fishery
catch and effort information. The information is used to establish
fishing seasons, harvest levels, and accountability to the provisions
of Treaty fishing regimes.
Prior to FY 2020, the base annual Treaty implementation funding
remained essentially flat since the inception of the Treaty in 1985. In
order to continue to fulfill the Federal international commitments
created by the Treaty, as costs and complexity increased over time, the
States had to augment Federal funding with other Federal and State
resources. However, alternative sources of funding have seen reductions
or, in some cases, have been eliminated. The increases for the last
three Federal fiscal years to implement the revised Annex Chapters were
a welcome change.
Negotiations to revise the provisions of the Annex Chapters to the
Treaty, except for the Fraser River Chapter, were successfully
completed in 2018. The revised provisions will last for 10 years. These
chapters contain the specifics for implementing the Treaty for each
species in each geographic area. The provisions for a revised Fraser
River Chapter were completed in 2019. The revised chapters represent
the combined efforts of the participants to ensure healthy salmon
populations for the next 10 years. They require commitments to increase
efforts to improve upon current management strategies for numerous
salmon populations.
Finally, it is important to consider that the value of the
commercial harvest of salmon subject to the Treaty and managed at
productive levels under the Treaty, supports the infrastructure of many
coastal and inland communities. The value of the commercial and
recreational fisheries, and the economic diversity they provide for
local communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, is
immense. The Pacific Salmon Commission recently funded an economic
study of these fisheries and determined that this resource creates
thousands of jobs and is a multi-billion dollar industry. The U.S.
Section estimates these fisheries support 26,700 full-time equivalent
jobs and generate $3.4 billion in economic value annually. The value of
these fish to the twenty-five Treaty Tribes in Washington, Oregon,
Idaho and Alaska goes far beyond their monetary value, to the cultural
and religious lives of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. A
significant monetary investment is focused on salmon due to the
listings of Pacific Northwest salmon populations under the Endangered
Species Act.
Given these resources, the U.S. Section will continue to utilize
the Pacific Salmon Commission process to develop recommendations that
help with the development and implementation of solutions to minimizing
impacts on listed stocks. We will continue to work towards the true
intent of the Treaty, and with your support, we will manage this shared
resource for mutual enhancements and benefits.
This concludes the statement of the U.S. Section of the Pacific
Salmon Commission submitted for consideration by your Committee. We
wish to thank the Committee for the support given to us in the past.
Please let us know if we can supply additional information or respond
to any questions the Committee Members may have.
Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of Partnership for America's Children
Dear Chairs Shaheen and Cartwright, and Ranking Members Moran and
Aderholt:
On behalf of the Partnership for America's Children, I am writing
to urge you to provide $2 billion in FY 2023 funding for the U.S.
Census Bureau, $495 million more than the Administration's proposed
budget, and $646 million above the enacted FY 2022 level. Our support
for this funding level is consistent with the position taken by The
Census Project; we have also signed a group letter circulated by The
Census Project concerning Census Bureau funding. I am submitting this
testimony separately to emphasize the importance of this funding for
children.
The Partnership's mission is to support its network of State and
community multi-issue child advocacy organizations in effective
advocacy. The Partnership has 49 member organizations in 40 States that
advocate to improve policies for children at the State, local and
Federal level. Collectively they represent over 90% of the Nation's
children. Partnership members use Census data in their advocacy, and
thirty Partnership members are also KIDS COUNT grantees in their state,
serving as that State's data hub on children for policy makers,
administrators, and nonprofits.
The Partnership for America's Children served as the National hub
on the undercount of young children in the 2020 Decennial Census. In
this role the Partnership formed and continues to co-lead a national
working group of child-serving organizations that is working to improve
the count of young children in all Census Bureau demographic products.
We are aware that funding for over 300 Federal spending programs is
distributed based on figures compiled from the decennial census and
other Census Bureau surveys, totaling $1.5 trillion in FY 2017. Many of
the programs utilizing these funds are especially important for
children. Examples include Medicaid and community health programs, SNAP
and child nutrition programs, housing, education and special education,
child care funding, WIC, and much more.
Because the 2020 Census was beset by problems, the Bureau has
reported that the undercount of young children, particularly young
children of color, is dramatically higher than it was in 2010. Since
young children were the age group most missed in 2010, and the number
of young children missed has been growing steadily since 1980, this is
very problematic for many of the purposes of the decennial census and
particularly for funding allocation.
Therefore, it is vitally important that the Census Bureau do all it
can to improve the accuracy of the count for young children, so that
children most in need get their fair share of resources. The Census
Bureau needs to invest in a number of approaches to compensate for the
2020 Census' inaccuracies, and to work towards a more accurate 2030
Census, to prevent inequitable distribution of Federal funds.
The Bureau has developed a blended base approach to the population
estimates that are used to allocate some Federal funds and to design
the American Communities Survey which is also used to allocate Federal
funds. This approach is intended to correct the undercounts in the 2020
census, but more research is needed. We support $10 million in
additional funding beyond the President's request for the Population
Estimates program, in order to mitigate the undercount in the 2020
Census. The annual Population Estimates can be used to better estimate
the count for young children and racial and ethnic subgroups in
geographic areas below the state level, and to identify new data
sources that would improve the accuracy of the count.
The Partnership also supports a significant increase in funding for
the American Community Survey of $100--$300 million beyond the
Administration's request, to increase the ACS's sample size and to
address its declining response rates. We believe the ACS needs to be
expanded in order to be an accurate annual measure of income, poverty,
and many other subject areas. Of particular importance for children, it
needs to be expanded to be able to provide subgroup data including
different age groups for children and data about smaller racial and
ethnic groups within those age groups. We support the Administration's
request for increased funding to improve the Current Population Survey
and other Census products, and strongly favor the continuation of the
Household Pulse survey for its timely responsiveness in showing levels
of hardship and program utilization for children. It has been
particularly important in showing the value of various Federal policies
in reducing hardship for children.
The Partnership supports the Administration's requests for
continued compilation of 2020 decennial data products and for a much
higher increase for the 2030 Census than was provided in the FY 2013
year for the 2020 Census. We believe that much work must be done to
learn from the mistakes of the 2020 Census and to incorporate the
participation of non-federal partner groups at an earlier stage in the
process, to allow for a more effective ramp-up of outreach activities
to overcome decreasing response rates. The Partnership has been and
remains a Census partner and believes the outreach by independent
organizations helps build trust among community members who tend to be
undercounted.
Thank you for considering the needs of the Census Bureau in
relation to its vital role in assuring that Federal resources are
fairly and accurately provided, with special attention to the needs of
children. If you have any questions you can reach me at
[email protected].
Sincerely,
Deborah Stein, Network Director
______
Prepared Statement of Population Association of America/Association of
Population Centers
Thank you, Chair Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran and other
distinguished members of the subcommittee, for this opportunity to
express support for the Census Bureau, National Science Foundation
(NSF), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and Bureau of Justice
Statistics (BJS). These agencies are important to the Population
Association of America (PAA) and Association of Population Centers
(APC), because they provide direct and indirect support to population
scientists and the field of population, or demographic, research
overall. In FY 2023, we urge the subcommittee to recommend the
following funding levels for these agencies: Census Bureau, $2 billion;
NSF, $11 billion; NIJ, $50 million; and, BJS, $60 million.
The PAA and APC are two affiliated organizations that together
represent over 3,000 social and behavioral scientists and the over 40
population research centers that receive Federal funding and conduct
research on the implications of population change. Its members, which
include demographers, economists, sociologists, and statisticians,
conduct scientific and applied research, analyze changing demographic
and socio-economic trends, develop policy and planning recommendations,
and train undergraduate and graduate students. Their research expertise
covers a wide range of issues, including adolescent health and
development, aging, health disparities, immigration and migration,
marriage and divorce, education, social networks, housing, retirement,
and labor. Population scientists compete for funding from the NSF and
NIJ and rely on data produced by the Nation's statistical agencies,
including the Census Bureau and BJS, to conduct research and research
training activities.
the census bureau
The Census Bureau is the premier source of data regarding U.S.
demographic, socio-economic, and housing characteristics. While PAA/APC
members have diverse research expertise, they share a common need for
access to accurate, timely data about the Nation's changing socio-
economic and demographic characteristics that only the U.S. Census
Bureau can provide through its conduct of the decennial census,
American Community Survey (ACS), and a variety of other surveys and
programs.
PAA and APC understand that the Census Bureau's funding level
declines dramatically in the initial years of the decennial planning
cycle, and the Administration's request reflects, appropriately, this
anticipated decrease in funding. Nonetheless, PAA and APC urge the
subcommittee to support increased funding for the Census Bureau in FY
2023 above the Administration's request as recommended by The Census
Project. In FY 2023, Congress has a unique opportunity to initiate
multi-year funding for the Bureau, providing the agency with resources
that it needs to not only sustain and strengthen its mission, but also
to recover from years of postponed enhancements and pursue numerous
necessary operational improvements. The ambitious FY 2023 funding
recommendation ($2 billion) that census stakeholders are supporting
would enable the Bureau to purse initiatives not only in the
President's budget, but also additional activities recommended by
census stakeholders, including:
--The American Community Survey.--While the President's budget
requests an additional $10 million to improve how the ACS
measures the sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)
population, census stakeholders and data users in the public,
private, non-profit sectors believe the ACS needs an immediate
infusion of substantial funding to pursue other long overdue
enhancements to the survey. These enhancements include
increasing the survey's sample size, improving its non-response
follow up operations, addressing steadily declining response
rates, revising content, and making other methodological and
operational improvements. An independent report issued in 2022
by The Census Project urges an infusion of $100 to $300 million
to protect the ACS from further data quality deficiencies and
take up a long list of activities to ensure the survey is
accurately capturing data about the Nation's increasingly
complex population and households. PAA and APC support the
report's recommendations and urge the Committee to provide the
Bureau with additional funding to pursue necessary innovations
to the survey's content, operations, and data products.
--2030 Census.--The President's Budget proposes $252 million for the
2030 Census in FY 2023 (a $249 million increase from only $3
million in FY 2022). This is nearly twice the increase
requested a decade ago for the 2020 Census in the comparable
cyclical year (FY 2013) ($64.8 million), as the Bureau intends
to continue research and testing to design the next decennial
headcount, including work to develop and maintain the
completeness of the address list (so that less of the country
must be updated in the field), the use of administrative
records as a source of data for enumeration, and bringing
efficiencies to field operations to reduce non-response follow
up. Early decade investments in the decennial census will allow
the Bureau to sustain critical capabilities and, as a result
reduce the risk of additional funding needs in the peak years
later in the decade.
--Modernize and Sustain the Survey of Income and Program
Participation (SIPP).--Policymakers, particularly as the
economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, need high quality,
accurate data to assess the impact of government assistance
programs on families and communities. The Survey of Income and
Program Participation (SIPP) is designed to achieve that goal,
yet its funding has fluctuated routinely, especially during
years in which the government has been funded via a series of
continuing resolutions. Stabilizing and increasing support for
SIPP, to no less than $48 million in FY 2023--an increase of
$1.4 million from FY 2022 enacted ($46.6 million)--will help
Congress make evidence--based policy decisions on the
effectiveness of government assistance program. However,
additional funding for SIPP would enable the Bureau to pursue
necessary innovations designed to enhance the survey's sample,
address decreasing response rates, and improve the survey's
content. Restoring minor cuts to the SIPP program does not
provide the resources necessary to modernize the survey and its
operations. A bolder investment in the survey is warranted.
--Innovations to Existing Surveys and Programs.--The President's
fiscal Year 2023 budget proposes several initiatives that would
improve existing surveys and programs, including: $4.5 million
to develop and test a self-response web-based instrument for
the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is the primary
source of information regarding national unemployment rate and
provides other data regarding employment, unemployment, and
people not in the labor force; an additional $3.7 million to
support the Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) program, which
began during the pandemic to provide more granular population
data; and, an additional $66.6 million to support ``critical
updates to data collection methods for surveys that produce
vital statistical data on the U.S. population and economy.''
In sum, PAA and APC join other census stakeholders in urging the
subcommittee to provide the Census Bureau with $2 billion in FY 2023 to
complete all 2020 Census operations and data delivery objectives;
enhance the ACS, initiate planning for the 2030 Census; improve the
SIPP; and, enrich the quality and granularity of all census data sets.
national science foundation (nsf)
For over 75 years the mission of NSF has been to promote the
progress of science; to advance the National health, prosperity, and
welfare; and to secure the National defense. Understanding the
implications of complex population dynamics is vital to the agency's
mission, and in particular the Directorate of Social, Behavioral and
Economic (SBE) Sciences, which is the primary source of support for the
population sciences within the NSF. The SBE Directorate funds critical
large-scale longitudinal surveys, such as the Panel Study of Income
Dynamics, which inform pressing policy decisions and provide the
empirical evidence to help policy makers to formulate effective
decisions. It also has participated in cross-cutting, interdisciplinary
initiatives of interest to population scientists, such as the
Coastlines and People program, which supports research on the
implications of climate change on populations, and Mid-scale
Infrastructure--two areas of emphasis among the agency's research
priorities.
NSF is the funding source for about 27 percent of all federally
supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and
universities, including basic behavioral and social research. However,
the SBE Directorate funds approximately 65 percent of basic,
university-based social and behavioral sciences research in the Nation.
PAA and APC, as members of the Coalition for National Science
Funding (CNSF), applaud the Administration's proposed NSF FY 2023
budget request, $10.5 billion, which represents a 19 percent increase
in funding over the FY 2022 enacted level. Moreover, the budget request
envisions an allocation for SBE of $330 million, which would represent
a historical high-water mark for this directorate, and an estimated
increase of one-third over what we anticipate the FY 2022 allocation
will be. We note that the PBR indicates that SBE priority investments
include climate change research and a boost to the National Center for
Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), which plays a key role in
the development of the National Secure Data Service. We continue to
support the Committee's longstanding practice of not stipulating
specific funding levels for individual NSF directorates; however, it is
helpful to understand the Administration's views on research
priorities, and in this instance we concur.
We note that efforts are currently underway in Congress to reach
bi-cameral agreement on legislation to advance translational and
interdisciplinary research, emerging technologies, and public-private
partnerships. Meanwhile, NSF has launched a new Technology, Innovation
and Partnerships (TIP) directorate in anticipation of, and to dovetail
with, enactment of this legislation. We urge the Committee to continue
to ensure that funding for the TIP will not come at the expense of
other, existing directorates.
We urge Congress to accelerate the growth of NSF's budget by
providing NSF with at least $11 billion in FY 2023. The funding level
will enable the NSF SBE Directorate to continue its support of social
science surveys and a robust portfolio of population research projects.
The NSF also continues to focus on interdisciplinary research
initiatives, recognizing that social and behavioral science contributes
to many critical areas of research. For example, the Mid-scale
Infrastructure program is currently funding broad-scale, sensor-based
data collection projects that represent collaborations among population
scientists and computer scientists. Increased funding in FY 2023 will
allow NSF to continue funding the most promising grant applications and
reduce the number of high caliber proposals that are rejected solely
for lack of sufficient funds.
bureau of justice statistics and national institute of justice
After years of declining budgets, PAA and APC are participating in
the new Office of Justice Programs Research and Statistics Coalition to
raise awareness about the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and
National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Both agencies are important
sources of data and funding for population scientists conducting
research on topics such as prisoner reentry, the social and
environmental dynamics of health and crime, and the effects of
incarceration across the lifespan. The coalition's recommendations,
which PAA and APC support, would provide BJS with $60 million and NIJ
with $50 million in FY 2023.
Thank you for considering our requests and for supporting Federal
programs that benefit the population sciences under the subcommittee's
jurisdiction.
[This statement was submitted by Mary Jo Hoeksema, Director,
Government and Public Affairs]
______
Prepared Statement of Research!America
Research!America appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony
for the record regarding the FY23 Commerce, Justice, Science and
Related Agencies appropriations deliberations. We are the Nation's
largest nonprofit alliance advocating for science, discovery, and
innovation to achieve better health for all. We greatly appreciate the
subcommittee's dedicated stewardship over funding for such critical
priorities as the National Science Foundation (NSF). As you consider
fiscal year 2023 (FY23) allocations, we urge that the subcommittee
allocate at least $11 billion to the National Science Foundation in
FY23, an increase of 20% over FY22, to advance the frontiers of
research, deliver the benefits of research to society, develop STEM
talent, and secure global leadership in science and engineering (S&E).
The NSF's strategic plan aligns with several national priorities,
including pandemic response, global economic competitiveness, racial
equity, and addressing climate change. Allocating robust funding for
NSF is a sound strategy for advancing the United States' strategic
interests in an ever-more complex international landscape and meeting
the aspirations of the American people.
what nsf provides
The NSF invests in S&E at over 2,000 funded academic institutions
in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories.
Research topics include important national priorities such as advanced
manufacturing, infrastructure resilience & sustainability, innovations
in AI decision-making, cybersecurity, and data analytics, among others.
The NSF allocates 94% of its budget to research projects, facilities,
and STEM education, which supported over 300,000 students, postdoctoral
fellows, researchers, trainees, and teachers in 2019. Since its
inception in 1950, the NSF has supported more than 248 Nobel Prize
winners, including six Nobel Laureates in 2019 alone. Continued NSF
investments will fuel our economy for decades to come while producing
high-paying jobs for American workers, improving American prosperity
and quality of life, and enhancing national security.
NSF is at the Forefront of Research and Innovation
The NSF supports a broad spectrum of research and innovation in
basic science, engineering, and STEM learning research, and it actively
seeks research proposals for new tools, advanced instrumentation, data
analysis, computation, and novel facilities. Furthermore, the NSF
fosters a culture of smart risk-taking, looking for potentially high
rewards that justify taking risks. For instance, the SARS-CoV-2
pandemic highlighted the need for more research on prediction and
mitigation of current and future pandemics. It also demonstrated the
need for research on remote distributed work and remote learning. NSF-
funded researchers rapidly mobilized to conduct research that led to
the development of the COVID Information Commons (CIC), an interactive
platform that consolidated in one place information on the full range
of COVID-related awards made by NSF. This tool and platform enabled
researchers from all disciplines to efficiently search for information
and discover linkages among highly varied, yet often complementary,
efforts. This progress would not have been possible without NSF
investment.
NSF is Essential to Training the Next Generation of American Scientists
and Innovators
The U.S.'s global leadership is directly tied to its strength in
the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The NSF cultivates future American leaders in these strategically
important disciplines. Since 1952, the NSF has supported more than
60,000 students through Graduate Research Fellowships and has provided
grant support to thousands of postdoctoral fellows and young
investigators.
NSF investments have also sustained and enhanced U.S.
competitiveness on a global stage. In partnership with other sectors,
the NSF has supported S&E research and innovation that has led to the
development of breakthrough technologies and solutions to national and
societal problems. This includes the new Technology, Innovation, and
Partnerships (TIP) Directorate, which will enable the NSF to focus
cross-disciplinary expertise and foster cross-sector partnerships to
develop solutions at speed and scale. TIP will build on successful
innovation programs such as the NSF Convergence Accelerator, as well as
the world-leading Lab-to-Market Platform, which spans the NSF
Innovation Corps, Partnerships for Innovation, Small Business
Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
Research!America appreciates the complex task facing the
subcommittee as it seeks to prioritize funding in a manner that best
serves the American people, and we thank you for your continued
leadership and consideration of our funding request. Please call on us
if we can be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Mary Woolley
President and CEO
______
Prepared Statement of The Sea Grant Association
The Sea Grant Association (SGA) recommends Congress appropriate
$140 million in FY 2023 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) and $18
million for Sea Grant Aquaculture Research. Sea Grant is funded through
appropriations to NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in
the Operations, Research, and Facilities account.
The SGA recommendation of $140 million for Sea Grant is roughly
equal to the total amount the Sea Grant program is managing in FY 2022
when one factors in funding provided in the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) ($76 million for Sea Grant and $13.5
million for Sea Grant Aquaculture) and the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) ($50 million for marine debris). The
SGA's request includes funding to expand Sea Grant's capacity to
address coastal resilience issues.
Sea Grant consists of a network of 34 university-based programs and
has supported coastal and Great Lakes communities through research,
extension, and education for over 50 years. SGA is a nonprofit
association made up of the academic institutions participating in the
program dedicated to furthering Sea Grant's vision, mission, and goals.
The SGA advocates for greater understanding, use, and conservation of
marine, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
Sustained, bipartisan congressional support for the program led to
the enactment of a 5-year reauthorization, the National Sea Grant
College Program Amendments Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-221). The
legislation identified several priority activities for FY 2021-2025--
including coastal resilience and sustainable aquaculture--and
authorized additional funding for competitive grants in these areas.
The request made in this testimony would provide the resources
necessary for Sea Grant to meet those programmatic objectives.
Justification for the FY 2023 SGA Request for Sea Grant
Throughout its 50-year history, Sea Grant has supported coastal
communities, focusing on healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable
fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and
environmental literacy and workforce development. However, the demand
for services now outweighs existing capacity and resources. Additional
funding would allow Sea Grant to better serve more diverse
constituencies, including economically disadvantaged groups, land/
property owners, businesses, Tribes, state/local planners, engineers,
community leaders, fisheries coalitions, developers, and citizen
community groups. SGA makes the following recommendations so that it
can have the capacity to meet the needs of our coastal communities:
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant): $140 million
Sea Grant Resilient Coasts Initiative.--The last several years have
brought unprecedented challenges to our Nation, from the ongoing human
health crisis to increasing natural disasters. For those living in
coastal areas-which is more than 40 percent of the United States'
population--the 2022 hurricane season is expected to again pose a
significant threat, with predictions indicating another above-average
season with 16-22 named storms and nine hurricanes, four to five of
which are expected to be major ones. It is imperative that coastal
communities have the resources to prepare for, mitigate the effects of,
and recover from such events, as well as the many other challenges
these communities face, including coastal inundation and erosion, oil
and chemical spills, and harmful algal blooms.
Specifically, the funding requested in FY 2023 would enable a focus
on capacity building to support recruitment of additional resilience
extension, communication, or education staff in each State Sea Grant;
to provide funding for a State-based national Sea Grant resilience
coordinator; and to enable research, engagement, decision support, and
implementation to support local State-based research, training,
technical assistance, and coordination that enhance community
resilience.
Racial Equity and Inclusion.--Sea Grant invests heavily in its
people: those in its workforce and those in the communities they serve.
There is more that must be done to ensure the Sea Grant workforce is
representative of the broader communities they work with across the
Nation and that underserved and underrepresented communities are not
overlooked when addressing coastal issues.
Sea Grant already has long-standing and trusted relationships with
local, Tribal, and indigenous communities that depend on the coastal
and marine environment for livelihood and substance and whose cultures
are deeply tied to it. Funds appropriated for FY 2023 would advance
innovative initiatives to further connect to, learn with, and empower
historically marginalized communities by supporting research, training,
mentorship, and fellowship opportunities supporting underserved and
underrepresented communities.
Sustainable Aquaculture: $18 million
Enhancing Sea Grant's aquaculture program will enable local farmers
to produce sustainable seafood for the growing population while also
helping lessen our Nation's seafood trade deficit, which was over $16.9
billion in 2019. In FY 2020, Sea Grant turned a $13 million
appropriation into over $80 million in economic impact, creating or
sustained over 1,000 aquaculture-related jobs and over 400 related
businesses.
Sea Grant's work around aquaculture includes support and assistance
to those across the food chain. The program supports research,
education, and workforce development on issues of importance to State
and local communities, including farm siting and permitting, production
technologies, seafood safety and quality, environmental risks, user
conflicts within coastal communities and working waterfronts, animal
welfare, and food security. Through research and extension services,
Sea Grant assists in increasing sustainable domestic production of
currently farmed and promising new species through improvements in
feeds and feeding practices, reproduction, larval rearing and genomics,
and animal health and through growing adaptations to changing
environmental conditions. Sea Grant conducts research and provides
technical assistance and outreach to aquaculture producers, resource
managers, scientists, and consumers to ensure the safety and quality of
sustainably cultured seafood products. Finally, Sea Grant also provides
aquaculture literacy programs for the next generation of farmed seafood
producers through K-12 education. The funding requested for FY 2023
would expand the Sea Grant aquaculture program, further enabling
farmers to produce sustainable seafood that competes with imports and
provides a safe and nutritious source of protein.
Examples of Recent Sea Grant Accomplishments
--Alaska Sea Grant is funding a project to help communities adapt and
respond to the changing climate, with a goal of providing
communities in Bristol Bay with specific data to inform build
solutions and to budget and apply for grant funds\1\.
--Connecticut Sea Grant, with National Sea Grant Law Center and state
Bureau of Aquaculture, developed a best practice guide for
regulating raw seafood for human consumption and developed the
first domestic public health hazards guide for seaweed
aquaculture\2\.
--Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium awarded the first Clean
and Resilient Marina certification to Saunders Yachtworks for
its best management practices to protect and promote clean
water and to reduce water pollution\3\.
--New Hampshire Sea Grant partnered with oyster growers to provide
financial relief and to encourage participation in research and
conservation, which provided immediate economic relief for
growers during the pandemic and explored alternate revenue
streams to help oyster growers build economic resilience\4\.
concluding thoughts
The Sea Grant Association is grateful for the long-standing
consistent support this subcommittee has provided the program. Our ``on
the ground'' efforts in coastal resilience, sustainable aquaculture,
and other key Sea Grant objectives could not happen without the
guidance and support this subcommittee and the rest of the Congress has
provided over the years. The Sea Grant Association's request for the
National Sea Grant College Program of $140 million, while more than the
amount requested by the Administration for FY 2023, is similar to the
request the Administration submitted in FY 2022 and is close to the
total amount the Congress has entrusted Sea Grant to manage in FY 2022
when one views the program through the lens of the omnibus
appropriations act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Thank you again for your time and for your consideration of this
request. SGA would be happy to answer any questions or provide any
additional information.
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\1\ A. Gore, ``Storm-related data help Bristol Bay communities plan
for change,'' 2022, available at: https://alaskaseagrant.org/2022/04/
26/storm-related-data-help-bristol-bay-communities-plan-for-change/.
\2\ Sea Grant Connecticut Annual Report, 2021, available at:
https://seagrant.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1985/2022/02/
2021.AR--.webversion.pdf.
\3\ K. Maghan, ``Saunders Yachtworks named Alabama's first clean
and resilient marina,'' 2021, available at: https://masgc.org/news/
article/saunders-yachtworks-named-alabamas-first-clean-and-resilient-
marina.
\4\ New Hampshire Sea Grant, ``NH oyster COVID relief and
restoration,'' 2021, available at: https://seagrant.unh.edu/blog/2021/
12/nh-oyster-covid-relief-restoration.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Susan White, President]
______
Prepared Statement of Seattle Indian Health Board
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the Senate
Committee on Appropriations--Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies, my name is Esther Lucero. I am Dine, of
Latino descent, and third generation in my family living outside of our
reservation, I strongly identify as an urban Indian. I serve as the
President & CEO of the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB), one of 41
Urban Indian Organizations (UIO) nationwide. I have had the privilege
of serving SIHB for 6 years and have been providing congressional
testimonials for the past 4 years. I am honored to have the opportunity
to submit my testimony today requesting the Department of Commerce
appoint a Senior Advisor for the Office of Native American Affairs.
SIHB is an Indian Health Service (IHS)-designated UIO and a Health
Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) 330 Federally Qualified
Health Center, which serves nearly 5,000 AI/AN living in the Greater
Seattle Area in Washington state. Nationwide, UIOs operate 74 health
facilities in 22 States and offer services to over 5.4 million AI/AN
people in select urban areas. As a culturally attuned service provider,
we offer direct medical, dental, traditional health, behavioral health
services, and a variety of social support services on issues of gender-
based violence, youth development, and homelessness. We are part of the
Indian healthcare system and honor our responsibilities to work with
our Tribal partners to serve all Tribal people, wherever they may
reside.
We are home to a Tribal public health authority, Urban Indian
Health Institute (UIHI), 1 of 12 Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TEC) in
the country and the only TEC with a national purview- serving both
rural and urban AI/AN's. For over 20 years, UIHI has managed public
health information systems, managed disease prevention and control
programs, communicated vital health information and resources,
responded to public health emergencies, and coordinate these activities
with other public health authorities and UIO's nationwide. Due to a
lack of access to disease surveillance data, UIHI released the only AI/
AN COVID-19 Data Dashboard,\1\ utilizing the over 45 UIO service areas
providing direct service to communities combating COVID-19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Urban Indian Health Institute (April 2022) COVID-19 Among
American Indian/Alaska Natives. Retrieved from: https://www.uihi.org/
covid-19-data-dashboard/.
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economic investments in indian country by the department of commerce
To advance economic wellbeing of AI/AN populations, the Department
of Commerce previously maintained the appointment of a Senior Advisor
for Native American Affairs. Today, in lieu of a Senior Advisor, the
Department of Commerce holds multiple Tribal liaison positions. I
believe this is insufficient to meet the economic demands of Indian
Country. I insist a Senior Advisor be appointed to: lead the
coordination and communication of AI/AN issues with Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and UIOs; implement the department's Tribal Consultation
Policy Plan, and; guide combined efforts of the Federal Government,
Tribal governments, and private sectors to promote economic growth for
Tribes, UIOs, and AI/AN people nationwide.
To increase economic advancement in Indian Country, we also request
the Department of Commerce support economic advancement initiatives for
marginalized communities with funding through the Economic Development
Administration (EDA), Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and
the U.S. Census Bureau. Economic advancement for AI/AN populations can
be achieved through investing in healthcare, education, housing, and
supporting economic sustainability of AI/AN communities. Economic
advancement can also be achieved through budgetary earmarks and grant
carve outs support AI/AN populations. SIHB encourages the use of the
Federal statute language of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban
Indian organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. Sec. 1603.
A persistent barrier for Indian Country's economic development is
Federal dollars not reaching urban AI/AN communities in the intended
amount. For example, the Department of Commerce's Federal funding can
be channeled through State and local governments before being allocated
community-based organizations, like SIHB and UIHI. Due to indirect
State and local administrative processes, reduced funding is allocated
to community-based organizations to implement Federal initiatives. To
increase funding for community-based organizations, Federal agencies
need to combine resources and provide direct funding to UIOs and BIPOC
organizations conducting Federal initiatives. Together, we can properly
channel Federal dollars to foster economic empowerment and advancement
in Indian Country.
economic inequities effecting ai/an livelihood
The Commission on Civil Rights documented the history of unmet
Federal obligations to Tribal nations in a report titled Broken
Promises,\2\ which included lack of investment to improve Indian
Country's economic wellbeing. In alignment with Executive Order 13985:
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through
the Federal Government and the Department of Commerce's Strategic Goal
2: Fostering Inclusive Capitalism and Equitable Economic Growth, we
request the Department of Commerce strategize and evaluate
opportunities to promote economic growth within AI/AN communities both
on and off Tribal territories.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ U.S. Commission On Civil Rights (December 2018). Broken
Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans.
Retrieved from: https://www.usccr.gov/files/pubs/2018/12-20-Broken-
Promises.pdf.
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Economic growth of AI/AN people has been stunted due to social
determinants of health impacting economic outcomes, resource extraction
on Tribal lands, and limited funding for AI/AN communities. AI/AN
populations have the highest poverty rate among all minority groups and
nationally, 22.7% of urban AI/AN people live in poverty compared to
6.9% for Non-Hispanic White (NHW) populations.\3\ Additionally, nearly
one in six AI/AN families live in poverty, which is 4.8 times the
proportion of NHW families.\4\ Of our relatives (patients) served at
SIHB, 84% fell 200% below the Federal poverty level (FPL). Poverty can
limit a family's access to health services, nutrition, quality housing
options, and economic opportunities to build wealth and assets.
The social and economic consequences of poverty are inextricably
connected to health outcomes.\5\ In the Nation, Medicaid is a major
source of financing maternal and infant health with 42% of all births
covered by Medicaid.\6\ Of our relatives served at SIHB, 54.8% are on
Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program, 10.7% are on Medicare,
5.3% are dual eligible, and 19.4% are uninsured. As the President and
CEO of a UIO offering health and human services, I recognize our
relatives have limited resources and accessibility to the services they
need, which is why I adamantly increase our wraparound services with
nutrition, behavioral health, gender-based violence, and homelessness
investments.
To address economic discrepancies children born under Medicaid
experience in their lifetime, Washington State is leading economic
equity policy initiatives through the proposed Future Fund Trust which
will aid children born under Apple Health Coverage with $3,000 upon
reaching 18, to spend on higher education, housing payments, and
business initiatives. Nationally, Senator Booker has introduced the
American Opportunity Accounts Act which provides children with $1,000
savings account upon birth with annual contributions up to $2,000
depending on a family's income. These types of initiatives provide
economic empowerment to children potentially affected by inter-
generational poverty and can support their access to education,
housing, and health services to improve their wellbeing.
SIHB has taken steps to support financial capital of AI/AN
populations by providing career advancement opportunities for urban AI/
AN through healthcare workforce development. Nationally, 20.5% of AI/AN
people aged 25 and older in UIO service areas did not complete high
school or pass the General Education Development (GED) exam compared to
the 5.5% of Non-Hispanic White population.\7\ SIHB's workforce
development program currently supports 6 family medicine residents, 6
public health interns, and 4 Master of Social Work program students. Of
our 6 family residents, 4 identify as AI/AN and recent graduation rates
show 80% of our previous residents go on to work in communities of
color and 50% go on to work in Native communities. These types of
training programs increase AI/AN representation in healthcare provider
positions, support financial capital built by AI/AN professionals, and
improve economic equity amongst AI/AN populations.
u.s. census and american indian and alaska native representation
The most recent 2020 U.S. Census reported the largest increase in
AI/AN representation, thanks, in part, to trusted community messengers'
educating and incentivizing accurate and appropriate data collection
practices for Tribal community members. Key census findings reported
that 76% of AI/AN populations reside outside of Tribal regions, within
urban areas.\8\ King County, the 13th most populous county in the
Nation,\9\ has a population of over 39,000 AI/AN's residing in the
region.\10\ Coinciding with the Department of Commerce Strategic
Objective 4.1, we support increased funding for culturally attuned data
collection practices on AI/AN populations to better document existing
social determinants of health in our community and ensure Federal
resources reach our AI/AN populations to address systemic inequities.
UIHI supported the 2020 Census by partnering with 42 health centers
to award subcontracts for organizations to promote the National `We
Count' campaign and strengthen AI/AN participation in the census.\11\
Additional efforts included UIHI partnering with other Indian
healthcare providers and Native leaders to produce culturally attuned
media, educational campaigns, and monetary incentives to encourage
participation in the `We Count' census campaign. These national
community-based efforts resulted in an 86.5% increase in the AI/AN
population from the 2010 Census.\12\
To build upon 2020 Census efforts, increased investments into
improving data collection practices are needed to accurately report on
social demographics of AI/AN populations. Previous Census barriers to
report accurate AI/AN population statistics include lack of community-
based resources, technological limitations, and general mistrust from
the community. Inaccurate reporting leads to government agencies
undercounting AI/AN populations and misinterpreting AI/AN social
demographics, which drastically impacts the allocation of resources and
funding reaching Indian Country.
Taken collectively and intentionally implemented, these requests
will help address barriers to economic development impacting AI/AN
populations. Together, we can advance economic well-being for Indian
Country and support equity across BIPOC communities.
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\3\ American Community Survey. (2018). American Community Survey:
2013-2017 5-year Data Release.
\4\ American Community Survey. (2018). American Community Survey:
2013-2017 5-Year Data Release.
\5\ Urban Indian Health Institute. Data Dashboard, Poverty in
Seattle. https://www.uihi.org/urban-indian-health/data-dashboard/.
\6\ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--National Center for
Health Statistics. (2020). Birth in the United States. NCHS Data Brief.
No 387. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db387-
H.pdf.
\7\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (October 2021) Community Health
Profile, National Aggregate of Urban Indian Organization Service Areas.
Retrieved from: https://www.uihi.org/urban-indian-health/urban-indian-
health-organization-profiles/.
\8\ U.S. Census Bureau. (2021). County Population by
Characteristics: 2010-2020. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/
popest/technical-documentation/research/evaluation-estimates/2020-
evaluation-estimates/2010s-county-detail.html.
\9\ U.S. Census Bureau (2020). State and County Quick Facts King
County, Washington. Retrieved from: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/
fact/table/kingcountywashington/PST045221.
\10\ Urban Indian Health Institute (March 2012). American Indian/
Alaska Native Population by Census Tract- Seattle Indian Health Board
Service Area, Seattle WA, 2010 Census. Retrieved from: https://
www.uihi.org/uihp-profiles/seattle/.
\11\ Urban Indian Health Institute. (April 2020) We Count.
Retrieved from https://wecount.uihi.org/#engage.
\12\ U.S. Census Bureau (August 2021). 2020 Census Results on Race
and Ethnicity. Retrieved from: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/
Census/newsroom/press-kits/2021/redistricting/20210812-presentation-
redistricting-jones.pdf.
[This statement was submitted by Esther Lucero, MPP, President &
CEO]
______
Prepared Statement of Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
(SIAM)
Summary
This written testimony is submitted on behalf of the Society for
Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) to ask you to continue your
support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in fiscal year (FY)
2023 by providing NSF with at least $11 billion. In particular, we urge
you to provide strong support for the Research and Related Activities
Account (R&RA) that supports key applied mathematics and computational
science programs in the Division of Mathematical Sciences and the
Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure. SIAM also requests your support
for the Education and Human Resources (EHR) directorate that addresses
fundamental challenges in mathematics and STEM education.
Full Statement
On behalf of SIAM, we submit this written testimony for the record
to the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
of the Committee on Appropriations of the U.S. Senate.
SIAM has over 14,000 members, including applied and computational
mathematicians, computer scientists, numerical analysts, engineers,
statisticians, and mathematics educators. They work in industrial and
service organizations, universities, colleges, and government agencies
and laboratories all over the world. In addition, SIAM has almost 500
institutional members, including colleges, universities, corporations,
and research organizations. SIAM members come from many different
disciplines but have a common interest in applying mathematics in
partnership with computational science to solve real-world problems,
which affect national security and industrial competitiveness.
First, we would like to emphasize how much SIAM appreciates your
Committee's continued leadership on and recognition of the critical
role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its support for
mathematics, science, and engineering in enabling a strong U.S.
economy, workforce, and society.
Today, we submit this testimony to ask you to continue your support
of NSF in FY 2023 and beyond. In particular, we join with the research
and higher education community and request that you provide NSF with at
least $11 billion in funding for FY 2023. This is $500 million over the
President's budget request for FY 2023 that calls for $10.49 billion.
After years of inadequate funding, NSF needs bold growth to protect
U.S. competitiveness as countries such as China are rapidly increasing
their science and engineering investments. According to the National
Science Board, in FY 2020, NSF rejected close to four billion dollars
of proposals rated ``very good or higher'' due to budget constraints.
At least $11 billion in funding is needed to ensure NSF can meet
Congress's vision for the agency, launch new programs in priority areas
such as Regional Innovation Engines to transform regional economies in
critical technology areas, invest in revolutionary breakthroughs to
address resilience and catalyze clean energy innovation, and provide
sustainable growth to the core research and education activities
undergirding our science and technology ecosystem.
As we are reminded every day, the Nation's health, economic
strength, national security, and welfare are being challenged in
profound and unprecedented ways. Many of these challenges are fueled by
gaps in our understanding of complex systems such as biologic
processes, the energy grid, cyberspace, terrorist networks, or the
human brain. Mathematics and computational science play a foundational
and cross-cutting role in understanding these systems through advanced
modeling and simulation, developing techniques essential to designing
new breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), and
providing new tools for managing resources and logistics. Progress in
computational sciences and applied mathematics also underpins advances
across an array of fields and challenges in computing, materials,
biology, engineering, and other areas.
national science foundation
NSF serves a unique and critical function supporting all areas of
science and engineering to further innovation and seed the knowledge
and technologies for a strong future America. NSF provides essential
Federal support for applied mathematics and computational science,
including more than 60 percent of all Federal support for basic
academic research in the mathematical sciences. Of particular
importance to SIAM, NSF funding supports the development of new
mathematical models and computational algorithms, which are critical to
making substantial advances in such fields as neuroscience, energy
technologies, genomics, and nanotechnology. In addition, new techniques
developed in mathematics and computing research often have direct
application in industry. Modern life as we know it--from search engines
like Google to the design of modern aircraft, from financial markets to
medical imaging--would not be possible without the techniques developed
by mathematicians and computational scientists using NSF funding. NSF
also supports mathematics education at all levels, ensuring that the
next generation of the U.S. workforce is appropriately trained to
participate in cutting-edge technological sectors and that students are
attracted to careers in mathematics and computing.
SIAM supports NSF's efforts to launch the Directorate for
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships and encourages Congress to
give NSF the resources it needs to truly launch new programs such as
Regional Innovation Engines and enabling support for NSF priorities in
climate, clean energy, emerging industries, and broadening
participation. While investment in these priority areas is important,
SIAM urges Congress to provide sufficient NSF support for core
programs, such as those funded by the Division of Mathematical Sciences
(DMS) and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC), which have
stagnated in recent years and whose foundational investments underpin
advances across many science and engineering challenges.
SIAM urges strong investment in the Research and Related Activities
account (RRA) to enable robust funding for the Division of Mathematical
Sciences (DMS), the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC), and
other core programs and crosscutting initiatives for essential
mathematical and computational science research, workforce development
programs, and early career researcher support.
nsf division of mathematical sciences
The NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) in the Directorate
for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) provides core support for
all mathematical sciences. DMS also funds national mathematical science
research institutes; infrastructure, including workshops, conferences,
and equipment; and postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate training.
The activities supported by DMS and performed by SIAM members, such as
modeling, analysis, algorithms, and simulation, underpin advancements
across science and engineering and provide new ways of obtaining
insight into the nature of complex phenomena, such as the power grid,
software for military applications, and the human body.
Investment in DMS is critical because of the foundational and
cross-cutting role that mathematics and computational science play in
sustaining the Nation's economic competitiveness and national security,
and in making substantial advances on societal challenges such as
energy and public health. NSF, with its support of a broad range of
scientific areas, plays an important role in bringing U.S. expertise
together in interdisciplinary initiatives that bear on these
challenges. DMS has taken a leadership role in promoting partnerships
with other agencies and foundations to leverage Federal funding for
maximum impact. In addition, DMS funding supports a broad array of
activities in modeling, analysis, algorithms, and simulation that
underpin advancements across science and engineering. Agencies such as
the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health depend on
the NSF-supported applied math and computational sciences ecosystem to
fulfill their missions as they build on NSF-funded modeling, algorithm,
and simulation breakthroughs and leverage the workforce trained using
NSF support. Both agencies and foundations partner with NSF thereby
leveraging Federal funding for maximum impact, such as with the Joint
NSF/National Institutes of Health Initiative Quantitative Approaches to
Biomedical Big Data (QuBBD).
nsf office of advanced cyberinfrastructure
Work in applied mathematics and computational science is critical
to enabling effective use of the rapid advances in information
technology and cyberinfrastructure. Programs in the NSF Office of
Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) in the Directorate for Computer and
Information Science and Engineering (CISE) focus on providing research
communities access to advanced computing capabilities to convert data
to knowledge and increase our understanding through computational
simulation and prediction. SIAM strongly endorses NSF's and OAC's role
advancing high performance computing to meet critical national security
needs, fully leverage computing technology for economic competitiveness
and scientific discovery, and position the U.S. for sustained technical
leadership. OAC funding will support its role as steward for
computational science, building bridges across NSF to accelerate
transformational science and engineering.
supporting the pipeline of mathematicians and scientists
A lack of sufficient funding for NSF's Education and Human
Resources (EHR) directorate has left critical gaps in addressing
fundamental challenges for mathematics and STEM education across
educational levels. SIAM supports EHR and its programs like Improving
Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE), which is key to both advancing
STEM professional development and developing a STEM literate citizenry.
SIAM notes that mathematical education is foundational to STEM learning
across disciplines, and NSF should continue to fund development of
mathematical and computational skills, including at the undergraduate
level when young scientists and engineers gain critical interests and
competencies. SIAM supports the NSF CAREER awards, Graduate Research
Fellowships, and Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research
Fellowships (MSPRF) that are crucial to the training and professional
development of the next generation of leadership in mathematical
sciences research and education.
conclusion
We would like to thank you again for your ongoing support of NSF
that enables the research and education communities it supports,
including thousands of SIAM members, to undertake activities that
contribute to U.S. health, security, and economic strength. NSF needs
sustained growth to maintain our competitive edge in science and
technology, and therefore we respectfully ask that you continue robust
support of these critical programs in FY 2023.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony to the Committee
on behalf of SIAM. SIAM looks forward to providing any additional
information or assistance you may ask of us during the FY2023
appropriations process.
______
Prepared Statement of Society for Industrial and Organizational
Psychology
On behalf of the Society for Industrial and Organizational
Psychology (SIOP), we are pleased to provide this written testimony to
the House Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and
Science, and Related Agencies for the official record. In this
testimony, SIOP urges the subcommittee to consider three requests:
--Provide the requested amount of $11 billion for the National
Science Foundation (NSF), including strong support for the
Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
(SBE), and the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and
Partnerships (TIP) in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations
process;
--Include report language to encourage NSF to more rigorously
implement the science of team science in the agency's funding
strategies for large-scale and multi-disciplinary research
projects; and
--Support for workforce evaluation and technical assistance at the
Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services
Office.
appropriations support for nsf
SIOP is a community of nearly 10,000 members worldwide with a
common interest in promoting the research, practice, and teaching of
industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology to enhance human well-
being and performance in organizational and work settings. SIOP
provides a platform for scientists, academics, consultants,
practitioners, and students to collaborate, implement, and evaluate
cutting-edge approaches to workplace challenges across sectors.
We have evidence that Federal investment in social and behavioral
science research directly and positively impacts the U.S. economy,
national security, and the health and well-being of Americans. Through
SBE, NSF supports basic research to develop a scientific evidence base
for improving the performance, effectiveness, management, and
development of organizations and the workforce. The methods,
measurements, and theories developed through this Federal investment
enhance business practices, policymaking, and interprofessional
collaboration. The evidence base derived from basic research in the
science of organizations is applied throughout the public and private
sectors.
SBE is critically important to NSF and has been highly responsive
to the transformative events of the past few years. SBE rapidly
responded to the challenges and opportunities posed by the COVID-19
pandemic, supporting the second most pandemic-related research grants
among NSF Directorates. This included significant support for the field
of I-O psychology as the nature of work has fundamentally shifted. SBE
investments, particularly those from the Science of Organizations
program, have allowed I-O psychologists to develop data-driven methods
to address workplace disruption, issues of work-life balance, workforce
participation by women and underserved populations, and the challenges
and opportunities related to the shift to remote work. This research
will be crucial as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and deal
with its lasting effects on our workplaces and organizations.
NSF SBE has also provided the foundation for I-O psychologists to
understand how our rapidly emerging technologies affect the workforce.
As the rate of technological change continues to accelerate, I-O
psychologists are already seeking to understand how technologies like
Artificial Intelligence and automation affect American workers and
develop responsive employee training programs necessary to reskill our
workforce.
Continued Federal support for I-O psychology keeps its knowledge
and expertise in the public domain and enhances shared workplace
efficiency and understanding of worker well-being at all levels. Other
applications of I-O psychology include transitioning veterans and
service members to civilian jobs, managing age diversity in the
workplace, and developing preventative sexual harassment workforce
interventions, among many others.
NSF has also launched a new Directorate for Technology, Innovation,
and Partnerships (TIP). SIOP applauds NSF and Congress for investing in
TIP and encourages the new directorate to continue focusing on use-
inspired research that will position the Foundation to drive innovation
in industries and technologies of the future. In order to fully reach
its potential, the TIP Directorate must incorporate social and
behavioral science topics into its research agenda, particularly
workforce needs and impacts to the workplace as a result of these new
technologies or research advancements. Furthermore, as the TIP
Directorate recruits and hires new staff, effort must be taken to
ensure that the program officers are drawn from a broad variety of
professional disciplines, including I-O psychology and other behavioral
sciences. SIOP encourages NSF and TIP to utilize and support I-O
concepts and research in its plans for the future success of the
directorate, as well as employ I-O experts as part of its staff.
Given NSF's critical role in supporting fundamental research and
education across science and engineering disciplines, SIOP supports an
overall FY 2023 NSF budget of $11 billion. SIOP requests robust support
for the NSF SBE Directorate, which funds important research studies,
enabling an evidence base, methodology, and measurements for improving
organizational function, performance, and design across sectors and
disciplines. SIOP also requests the new TIP Directorate be fully funded
and empowered to support innovative research that will drive America's
global competitiveness, including in the social and behavioral
sciences.
science of team science
SIOP requests that Congress direct NSF to further adopt of the
Science of Team Science (SciTS) in NSF programs and policies. SciTS is
the empirical examination of the processes by which large and small
scientific teams organize, conduct, and communicate research. I-O
psychologists with expertise in SciTS have engaged with NSF program
officers and leadership, as well as some congressional staff to ensure
their findings are fully ingrained in the agency's new models and
approaches for funding cross-disciplinary science and/or large-scale
research projects. With the launch of the new Directorate for
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP), SIOP believes it is
increasingly important that the agency take additional steps to ensure
evidence-based team science is considered in multi-partner initiatives
to improve communication between researchers, productivity, efficiency
and cost-effectiveness. New programs focused on multi-disciplinary
collaboration between academia, industry, and other community partners,
such as the Regional Innovation Engines, require targeted SciTS
approaches to ensure their success.
Team science is a well-known research subject at NSF and the
language should be understood by the agency. NSF has funded several
team science studies through SBE and program officers across
directorates have expressed interest in leveraging team science to
improve multi-disciplinary awards, including participating in one-on-
one conversations with SIOP experts and inviting them to present on NSF
panels. SIOP appreciates NSF's interest in learning more about
leveraging SciTS to improve programs and collaborations at the agency.
While NSF has taken some steps forward to address the importance of
team science in some multi-disciplinary awards, we feel that
appropriations report language that specifically mentions the
importance of team science would build on this existing momentum and
further catalyze meaningful action.
For further reference, SIOP members served on the National
Academies'
Committee on the Science of Team Science, which produced the 2015
report on
this topic: https://www.nap.edu/catalog/19007/enhancing-the-
effectiveness-of-team-science. Also, slides and recordings from NSF's
2018 Accelerating Engineering Research Center Preparedness Workshop can
be found at: https://ercbiennial.asee.org/2018-pgw/program/. SIOP
members Drs. Steve Kozlowski and Kara Hall present on team science.
requested report language
Team Science.--NSF is encouraged to continue to seek ways to
implement the science of team science to improve scientific
collaboration as the agency develops new models and approaches for
funding large-scale and cross-disciplinary research projects, including
via the Technology, Innovation, and Partnership (TIP) Directorate. In
particular, NSF is encouraged to ensure that it is implementing the
recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine report, Enhancing the Effectiveness of Team Science.\1\
department of justice (doj) community oriented policing services (cops)
office
DOJ's COPS Office is responsible for advancing the practice of
community policing by the Nation's State, local, territorial, and
Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant
resources. The COPS Hiring Program (CHP), the agency's signature
initiative, provided $165 million for law enforcement agencies in FY
2022. Hundreds of law enforcement agencies have benefited from this
program since its inception, but little is known about these recipients
and the unique issues they face in key areas like recruitment,
retention, training and more. Collectively, CHP recipients make up an
ideal study group to explore important questions over what factors and
activities drive people toward careers in policing, as well as what may
drive people away. When there is more evidence about what works and
what some persistent issues are to be addressed, the COPS Office can
better tailor technical assistance programming to meet the needs of law
enforcement agencies.
To this end, Congress should provide funding for the COPS Office to
support a volunteer evaluation study of CHP recipients to better
understand common recruitment, hiring, and retention practices and
leverage the findings to target future Federal assistance. Congress
should also specify that the COPS Office work with an outside
organization with expertise in workforce and workplace sciences. SIOP
has a relationship with the COPS Office to provide expert input on
priorities regarding hiring and selection, reducing officer burnout,
providing meaningful training and professional development, and other
topics of I-O expertise. SIOP could be key partners in assisting the
COPS Office as they develop and carry out the study to ensure it is
designed properly for impactful results.
requested report language
Workforce Study.--The Committee recognizes that persistent
recruitment, hiring, and retention issues are plaguing law enforcement
agencies nationwide. The COPS Office provides support to address these
issues through the COPS Hiring Program, but little is known about
specific challenges facing grantees. With the appropriations provided,
COPS should carry out a voluntary assessment of COPS Hiring Program
recipients to understand workforce challenges facing police
departments, identify best practices, and collect other findings to
better target future technical assistance programming. In carrying out
this study, the COPS Office shall enter into a partnership with
qualified organizations with extensive expertise in workforce and
workplace sciences, such as industrial and organizational psychology.
Thank you for the opportunity to offer SIOP's support for NSF and
DOJ. Please do not hesitate to contact SIOP should you have any
questions. Additional information is also available at www.siop.org.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.nap.edu/catalog/19007/enhancing-the-effectiveness-
of-team-science.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Mo Wang, President and Tracy
L. Vanneman, Executive Director]
______
Prepared Statement of Society for Neuroscience
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and members of the
subcommittee, on behalf of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), we are
honored to present this testimony in support of robust appropriations
for biomedical research at the National Science Foundation (NSF). SfN
urges you to provide at least $11 billion, an increase of approximately
$2.162 billion, in funding for NSF in FY23. As both a researcher and a
Professor in the Department of Biology at Brandeis University, I
understand the critical importance of Federal funding for neuroscience
research in the United States. My own research identified the ability
of brain circuits to ``tune themselves'' to maintain the appropriate
level of excitability, which is critical for healthy brain function.
My research group, supported by NSF funding, made fundamental
discoveries in how neurons self-adjust their excitability, making it
easier or harder to send electrical messages to other neurons. Over the
past two decades, we have unearthed a family of mechanisms that allow
for this unique flexibility called ``homeostatic plasticity'', so
neurons can change the rate they send messages and protect
communication in the face of outside disturbances. Our work has many
wide-reaching implications: We are studying how learning and memory
suffer when these mechanisms malfunction; We are exploring how being
awake or asleep affects these mechanisms; and we are investigating how
States of being too excitable or not excitable enough contribute to
disorders like epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Basic research,
like my own, is paramount to understanding the brain at a level deep
enough to develop treatments and interventions for diseases and
disorders.
SfN believes strongly in the research continuum: basic science
leads to clinical innovations, which lead to translational uses
positively impacting the public's health. Basic science is the
foundation upon which all health advances are built. To cure diseases,
we need to understand them through fundamental discovery-based
research. However, basic research depends on reliable, sustained
funding from the Federal Government. SfN is grateful to Congress for
its support of the important mission of the NSF, which includes a focus
on promoting the progress of science and advancing the National health,
prosperity, and welfare, through increased appropriations in recent
years.
the importance of the research continuum
NSF funding for basic research is critical for facilitating
groundbreaking discoveries and for training researchers at the bench.
For the United States to remain a leader in biomedical research,
Congress must continue to support basic research fueling discoveries as
well as the economy. The deeper our grasp of basic science, the more
successful those focused on clinical and translational research will
be. We use a wide range of experimental and animal models not used
elsewhere in the research pipeline. These opportunities create
discoveries--sometimes unexpected discoveries -expanding knowledge of
biological processes, often at the molecular level. This level of
discovery reveals new targets for research to treat all kinds of brain
disorders that affect millions of people in the United States and
beyond.
NSF basic research funding is also a key economic driver of science
at universities and research organizations across the country. Federal
investments in scientific research fuel the Nation's pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device industries. The private sector
utilizes basic scientific discoveries funded through NSF to improve
health and foster a sustainable trajectory for American's Research and
Development (R&D) enterprise. Basic science generates the knowledge
needed to uncover the mysteries behind human diseases, which leads to
private sector development of new treatments and therapeutics. This
important first step is not ordinarily funded by industry given the
long-term path of basic science and the pressures for shorter-term
return on investments by industry. Congressional investment in basic
science is irreplaceable in the pipeline for development of drugs,
devices, and other treatments for brain-related diseases and disorders.
Another example of NSF's success in funding neuroscience is the
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN)
Initiative. A part of the research landscape in neuroscience, the BRAIN
Initiative has been critical in promoting future discoveries across
neuroscience and related scientific disciplines. By including funding
in the 21st Century Cures Act, Congress helped maintain the momentum of
this endeavor. Note, however, using those funds to supplant regular
appropriations would be counterproductive. There is no substitute for
robust, sustained, and predictable funding for NSF. SfN appreciates
Congress' ongoing investment in the BRAIN Initiative and urges its full
funding in FY22. Some recent exciting advancements in NSF funded
neuroscience research include the following:
n95 mask smart monitoring devices
As SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, face masks have emerged as a
protective mechanism. N95 masks are recommended by medical
professionals. At Northwestern University, researchers have taken the
N95 mask and engineered a smart monitoring device, calling it a
``Fitbit for the face''. The device is a small sensor that attaches to
the inside of an N95 mask and can detect heart rate, respiration rate,
and the mask wear time. These are all collected on a smart phone app,
and the app can also alert users when there are mask leaks. The
device's portability and ability to harvest energy from the heat and
motion of mask wearers increases the sensors battery life of up to 11
days or more. Researchers hope this device will help medical
professionals better detect Covid-19.
opioid epidemic may be countered by respiration-detecting technology
There is an opioid epidemic in the United States. In 2019, the
National Institute on Drug Abuse reported nearly 50,000 people in the
United States died from opioid overdoses. The opioid crisis has only
worsened over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, scientists
at the University of Washington have created a wearable device that can
reverse an opioid overdose. When people overdose on opioids, this
causes respiratory failure. The new device works by detecting
respiration patterns and motions in its user during an opioid overdose.
If the user stops breathing or moving, the device administers naloxone,
a competitive antagonist that works to restore respiration. The
researchers at the University of Washington have tested this device in
both a supervised injection facility and a hospital. They found their
closed-loop system accurately tracked breathing rate in self-injected
and simulated opioid-induced apneas. This system has the potential to
detect opioid overdoses before becoming fatal and could reduce the
burden of the opioid epidemic.
funding in regular order
SfN joins the biomedical research community in supporting an
increase in NSF funding to at least $11 billion, a $2.162 billion
increase over FY22. This proposed increase is necessary to provide
certainty to the field of science, allowing for the exploitation of new
scientific opportunity, additional training of the next generation of
scientists, increased economic growth and further improvements in the
public's health. Equally as important as providing a reliable increase
in funding for biomedical research is ensuring funding is approved
before the end of the fiscal year. Continuing Resolutions have
significant consequences on research, including restricting NSF's
ability to fund grants. For some of our members, this means waiting for
a final decision to be made on funding before knowing if their
perfectly scored grant would in fact be realized or operating a lab
with 90 percent of the awarded funding until appropriations are final.
This negatively impacts all the positive benefits research provides the
field. SfN strongly supports the appropriation of NSF funding in a
timely manner which avoids delays in approving new research grants or
causes reductions in funding for already approved research funding.
SfN thanks the subcommittee for your strong and continued support
of biomedical research and looks forward to working with you to ensure
the United States remains the global leader in neuroscience research
and discovery. Collaboration among Congress, the NSF, and the
scientific research community has created great benefits for not only
the United States but also people around the globe suffering from
brain-related diseases and disorders. On behalf of the Society for
Neuroscience, we urge you to continue this critical cooperation and
support of biomedical research.
[This statement was submitted by Gina Turrigiano, PhD, President]
______
Prepared Statement of United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA)
Dear Chairman Shaheen and Ranking Member Moran:
United Fishermen of Alaska (UFA) is the Alaska commercial fishing
industry trade association, representing 37 commercial fishing
organizations based in both Alaska and Washington that participate in
fisheries throughout the Alaska, and Federal fisheries off the Alaska
and Washington/Oregon coasts.
As you prepare the FY 23 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related
Agencies (CJS) appropriations bill, UFA requests that you work with
your colleagues to ensure increased funding in the CJS bill for the
Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) Grant Program.
Enacted in 1954, the S-K Act aims to `` . . . aid the American
commercial fishing industry by promoting the free flow of domestically
produced products in commerce and developing and increasing markets for
those products,'' through a federal, competitive grant program. As you
know, the S-K Grant Program is funded by a tariff on imported seafood,
the revenues from which are transferred from USDA into NOAA's ``Promote
and Develop Seafood Products'' account. The tariffs capitalizing the
Promote and Develop account have increased almost every year from $82
million in 2007 to over $240 million in 2021. Regardless of this
dramatic and consistent increase, the S-K Grant Program has stayed in
the $8- $12 million range of Congressional funding. The fiscal Year 22
funding for the S-K Grant Program is $11.8 million, approximately 4.8%
of the ``transfer'' from USDA. However, the S-K Act clearly States
that:
(e) Allocation of fund moneys
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all moneys in
the fund shall be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting
United States fisheries in accordance with the provisions of
this section, and no such moneys shall be transferred from the
fund for any other purpose . . . .(A) the Secretary shall use
no less than 60 per centum of such moneys to make direct
industry assistance grants to develop the United States
fisheries and to expand domestic and foreign markets for United
States fishery products pursuant to subsection (c) of this
section;
Increased S-K funding is needed for the U.S. seafood industry now
more than ever. World events have closed markets and significantly
raised tariffs on many U.S. seafood exports. Moreover, because of the
war in Ukraine and other U.S. policies, several foreign nations have
been restricted from importing seafood to the U.S. (The U.S. imports
approximately 90% of seafood consumed domestically). Increased S-K
funding should focus on increasing domestic consumption of U.S. caught
seafood as well as the secondary processing of seafood within the U.S.
American fisheries are also challenged by disproportionate foreign
government spending to support their fishing industries. For example,
Norway spends more than 10 times the amount of money allocated to
market U.S. produced salmon on marketing Norwegian salmon in U.S.
markets. Increased S-K allocations could, in part, level the playing
field in the promotion of U.S. produced seafood to U.S. markets.
Recently, Congress re-established the American Fisheries Advisory
Committee (AFAC Committee) to work with NOAA to prioritize and direct
S-K funding. UFA, as a representative of the Alaska Seafood Industry,
is looking forward to AFAC's new leadership role in the application of
S-K funding. It has been 50 years since S-K funding decisions had
industry input as was intended by the 1954 enabling legislation.
According to the legislation, the purpose of S-K funding was ``to
assist persons in carrying out research and development projects
addressed to any aspect of United States fisheries, including, but not
limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated
infrastructures.'' The AFAC Committee, as designed, will have both
geographical and experiential diversity including fishermen, scientists
and regulators drawing from six regions across the country. As such,
AFAC will be an effective advisory body, ensuring that increased S-K
funding is strategically invested to return maximum benefit to the
American seafood industry.
UFA, as the Alaska seafood industry's representative and advocate,
would like to see the S-K Grant funding begin to approach the
percentage of U.S. tariffs on imported seafood that were envisioned
when the original statute was passed. For FY 23, UFA encourages you to
consider funding the S-K Grant Program at no less than 15% of the
transfer to NOAA's ``Promote and Develop Seafood Products'' account
derived from tariffs on imported seafood as a specific line item in the
budget. This equates to approximately $35 million and is a step in the
right direction towards the 60% language contained in the S-K Act. In
future years, we recommend continued incremental increases up to 60%.
We thank you for considering UFA's request for increased S-K Grant
funding that will address the new and increased needs of America's
fishing industry and ensure the new AFAC Committee's ability to
maximize national seafood marketing as they begin to address the
rebuilding and expansion of America's seafood markets.
Sincerely,
Matt Alward, President
Tracy Welch, Executive Director
______
Prepared Statement of University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
On behalf of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
(UCAR), a nonprofit consortium of more than 122 North American colleges
and universities focused on research and training in the Earth system
sciences, I appreciate the opportunity to submit for the record our
fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding priorities for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Science Foundation
(NSF), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
These agencies serve an incredibly--and increasingly--important role in
our understanding of climate change and how we can mitigate its adverse
effects. The below funding priorities reflect my view of what resources
are needed so they can meet their missions.
By way of background, UCAR is the manager of the National Center
for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on behalf of NSF. Founded in 1960, we
are trusted administrators of the financial, human resources,
facilities, and information technology functions that are essential to
NCAR's success.
We bring together the Earth system science community to exchange
ideas, discuss challenges, and share what we've learned. By connecting
researchers and educators with cutting-edge resources--and with the
private sector--we take research out of the lab into the real world for
the benefit of society. UCAR members constitute a self-governing body
representing nearly all academic programs in Earth system science in
North America. We provide a clear voice for our membership, in
collaboration with the broader community, to convey the value of our
research, education, and partnerships to policymakers and decision
makers.
It is undeniable that we have entered a new era of extreme weather
driven by climate change. While the U.S. is no stranger to extreme
events, impacts from recent events have been unprecedented. Many parts
of our country have been drowned in devastating floods, baked under
deadly heat, suffered multi-year droughts, and burned from fast-moving
and intensely hot wildfires. This includes many of our own staff who
fled their homes in December, some of whom lost their homes, and many
more who are still feeling the impacts to this day. In addition, new
forms of extreme weather have appeared in recent years, including
severe tornados that level entire towns and Arctic cyclones that erode
coastlines.
These phenomena are just the beginning. Whereas the incremental
warming of our Earth system may seem small, on-the-ground impacts are
massive. In addition to local devastation, the impact of extreme
weather reverberates through our natural, physical, and social systems.
The Federal Government must not waver in its commitment to produce
breakthrough research that benefits science, human safety, economic
prosperity, and national security.
I appreciate and support the widespread increases to atmospheric
research in the President's budget request. I respectfully request the
subcommittee consider UCAR's recommendations regarding targeted
investments, in the following areas of priority. I believe these
modifications will better prepare the country to combat the growing
climate-related challenges that will affect every American.
national institute of standards and technology
I respectfully request at least $975 million for Scientific and
Technical Research and Services (equal to the request).
The formation and impacts of wildfire must be better understood to
protect communities in the western United States that are dealing with
the year-round threat of destruction and displacement from fire events.
In particular, the wildland-urban interface must be studied to better
understand air quality impacts and fuels composition. This should be
part of a more comprehensive, all-of-government approach to addressing
wildfires.
I appreciate the subcommittee significantly increasing funding for
Scientific and Technical Research and Services (STRS) in its FY 23
request. I respectfully request that within the total for STRS, an
additional $25 million is designated for NCAR to begin the cross-
disciplinary and interagency work necessary to protect life and
property from the increasing threat of wildland fire.
The Fire Research Division develops, verifies, and utilizes
measurements and predictive methods to quantify the behavior of fire
and means to reduce the impact of fire on people, property, and the
environment. This work involves integration of laboratory measurements,
verified methods of prediction, and large-scale fire experiments to
demonstrate the use and value of the research products.
Residents of Colorado are acutely aware of the dangers posed by
wildland fire, in particular when wildfire encroaches on the urban
environment. As a Colorado-based entity, NCAR is uniquely positioned to
lead community efforts to better understand wildfire and develop an
integrated approach to addressing impacts.
In the wake of the NCAR, Marshall, and Middle Fork fires, this
issue is top of mind for not only Colorado and the organization, but
scientists and policy makers across the American West. NCAR can use
additional funding to build out a wildfire research test bed.
Additional funding at NIST can allow for increased research into
understanding wildfire interactions with the wildland urban interface
(WUI). NCAR can also use increased funding to couple the CESM2
(Community Earth System Model Version 2) with local models like WRF-
Fire (Weather Research and Forecasting--Fire) and WRF-Chem (Weather
Research and Forecasting coupled with Chemistry) to understand how
large-scale changes to the Earth system will impact local fire
dynamics, air quality, and local decision making on the ground. NCAR is
well positioned with its existing expertise to take advantage of
additional funding to accelerate wildfire research, and to collaborate
with others in the Earth system science community to address this
critical issue.
national oceanic and atmospheric administration
I respectfully request at least $7.2 billion for NOAA (6 percent
more than the request).
NOAA plays a critical role in our efforts to both understand and
mitigate the threat of climate change. To ensure that NOAA and its
subagencies have the dedicated resources it needs to continue and
expand upon its important work, I respectfully request at least:
--$9 million for sustained funding of climate intervention research
at NCAR, within the Office of Atmospheric Research (equal to
the request). We have yet to achieve a full understanding of
the impacts of climate intervention activities and their
associated risks and benefits. Further research is needed to
study climate dynamics and air chemistry impacts of
geoengineering the Earth system. NCAR is uniquely positioned to
study both the climate dynamics and air chemistry impacts of
geoengineering on the Earth system.
--$4.48 billion for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (equal to the
request), including at least $16.27 million in dedicated
funding to support NCAR's continued development of Airborne
Phased Array Radar (APAR). These resources are needed in
anticipation of NSF completing its award process in early 2023.
APAR is a critical tool for studying weather and related
hazards, especially over rugged terrain or the open ocean where
operations are inherently challenging. Major advances in radar
technology have paved the way for development of APAR to
provide more detailed observations from within high-impact
weather systems. An APAR system is currently being designed and
developed by NCAR for installation on the NSF/NCAR C-130
aircraft. This will provide more agile scanning strategies and
enhanced capabilities for researchers to advance science
frontiers.
--$15 million for NOAA-wide activities that support Software
Development and Code Design of next generation predictive
models. NCAR's Computational and Information Systems Lab (CISL)
manages and operates two state-of-the-art supercomputers for
the Earth system science community. However, supercomputing-
built infrastructure is only as valuable as the code developed
for advanced model runs. The research community plays a
critical role in supporting the operational mission of NOAA,
but more must be done to ensure continued community engagement
with investments in training programs and sustainable pathways
for the next generation of Earth system software developers. I
respectfully request $15 million in FY 2023 for additional
investments in code design and software engineering, coupled
with physical sciences, to advance predictability of high
impact weather.
national science foundation
The National Science Foundation and its numerous facilities perform
essential functions in our understanding of the physical world. In
addition, Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) are vital for
tracking and analyzing extraterrestrial impacts to Earth's weather and
climate. To help NSF meet its mission, I respectfully request at least
$301.4 million for AGS (equal to the request) and $124.92 million for
NCAR Operations and Maintenance of NCAR's Facilities (7.5% more than
the request).
--I thank the subcommittee for its continued support of operations
and maintenance of NCAR facilities. However, rising inflation
means that more money will be needed to adequately maintain NSF
facilities, including NCAR. This increase is necessary so that
NCAR can continue to attract top scientists, while also
modernizing NCAR's Mesa Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. I
respectfully request at least $124.9 million (7.5% above the
request) for NCAR Facilities.
--Funding for AGS should include dedicated support for further
development of the Coronal Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO),
a proposed suite of complementary ground-based instruments
designed to study magnetic fields and plasma conditions in the
Sun's atmosphere.
The impacts of space weather are felt across multiple sectors,
including the growing aerospace industry, necessitating increased
investments in research and observations of the Sun. Tiny,
electrically-charged particles hurled toward Earth from a solar storm
can disrupt radio communications, GPS signals, and other technologies
that people rely on daily. Understanding solar storms and space weather
will help protect electric grids that power communities in an
increasingly telecommunication-reliant world.
I thank the subcommittee for providing a preliminary investment of
$5.6 million in FY 2021 to survey prospective locations for COSMO.
Additional funding beyond the initial award is needed to complete site
survey, choose a candidate site, and to finish construction design and
get an accurate cost estimate of all remaining elements of COSMO. I
respectfully request an additional $8 million in FY 2023, specified in
report language, to support this next stage of progress for this
critical endeavor.
Again, I thank the subcommittee for its attention to these matters
and commitment to ensuring NOAA, NSF, and NIST can continue and expand
their increasingly important work. I am more than happy to be a
resource for the subcommittee as it progresses through the FY 2023
appropriations process.
[This statement was submitted by Dr. Antonio J. Busalacchi,
President]
______
Prepared Statement of Western Governors' Association
Chair Shaheen, Ranking Member Moran, and Members of the
subcommittee, the Western Governors' Association (WGA) appreciates the
opportunity to provide testimony on items within the jurisdiction of
the subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies,
all of which relate to the U.S. Department of Commerce. WGA is an
independent organization representing the Governors of the 22
westernmost States and territories. The Association is an instrument of
the Governors for bipartisan policy development, information sharing
and collective action on issues of critical importance to the western
United States.
Western Governors support strong and dedicated funding for the
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) program under
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). WGA is
well-acquainted with the significant environmental, economic, and
social effects of drought on the West and its communities. Drought
contributes to the incidence of forest and rangeland wildfire, impairs
ecosystems and wildlife habitat, degrades agricultural productivity,
and poses threats to municipal and industrial water supplies. A growing
population's dependence on limited water resources creates challenges
for water management across the West, from the Great Plains to the
Intermountain West to the coastal, estuarine, and marine environments
of the Pacific States and islands. Planning for an adequate, reliable,
and clean water supply requires accurate and complete water and weather
information.
NIDIS promotes a coordinated and integrated approach to managing
future drought. This approach involves improved forecasting and
monitoring to provide the kind of authoritative, objective, and timely
drought information that farmers, water managers, decision-makers, and
State and local governments require for effective drought preparation
and response. Through NIDIS, NOAA is building a network of early
warning systems for drought while working with local resource managers
to identify and address unique regional drought information needs.
Western Governors value the approach used to build and improve
NIDIS. Rather than creating a new NIDIS bureaucracy, the system draws
from existing capacity in States, universities, and multiple Federal
agencies, as called for in the original authorizing legislation. Given
our shared fiscal challenges, WGA regards this as a model for Federal-
State collaboration in shared information services.
Water users throughout the West--including farmers, ranchers,
Tribes, land managers, business owners, recreationalists, wildlife
managers, and decision-makers at all levels of government--must be able
to assess the risks of drought before its onset to make informed
decisions and implement effective mitigation measures. For these
reasons, Western Governors request continued support and strong funding
for the National Weather Service River Forecast Centers and Weather
Forecast Offices and the NIDIS program, which perform a valuable role
in western water management and drought response.
Many western communities, especially Tribal communities, lack
access to broadband internet due to the high cost of infrastructure and
the economic challenges of serving low customer densities in rural
areas. When communities do have access to broadband, download and
upload speeds are often insufficient to meet bandwidth demands. These
realities have left many rural businesses at a competitive disadvantage
and citizens without access to telework, telemedicine, and distance
learning opportunities. Consequently, Western Governors support efforts
to adopt a Federal definition of broadband that is higher and more
scalable than 25/3 Mbps. In addition, the Governors support efforts to
leverage state expertise through State block grants and opportunities
to improve connectivity on rural and Tribal lands. To ensure that
Tribal areas receive adequate investment, Federal broadband programs
should allocate a designated portion of their available funding to
Tribal projects. Western Governors applaud the historic level of
broadband funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA,
Public Law 117-58), particularly the funds allocated to the existing
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the new Broadband Equity,
Access, and Deployment Program administered by the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Governors
look forward to engaging with NTIA on this funding and stand ready to
implement projects for the benefit of rural and Tribal communities.
Deployment of broadband infrastructure to these underserved and
unserved communities requires an accurate picture of nationwide
broadband availability. Western Governors appreciate the Federal
Communications Commission's plans in 2022 to implement the Broadband
Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act, known as the
Broadband DATA Act, and address the accuracy of broadband data coverage
and mapping. The Governors support continued investment in these
efforts, which are especially critical with the NTIA deploying the
second disbursement of IIJA funds to States using a formula based on
new FCC maps. WGA also encourages the coordination of data collection
strategies among the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Department
of Agriculture, and other agencies involved in broadband mapping and
deployment.
On the subject of data collection, Western Governors are supportive
of the implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based
Policymaking Act of 2018 (the Evidence Act, Public Law 115-435). The
act established a new set of comprehensive requirements for Federal
agencies regarding their collection, use, and management of data in
evidence-building functions. One such requirement in the Evidence Act
is for Federal agency heads to ``consult with . . . State and local
governments.'' Western Governors have been actively engaging with
Federal agencies as they carry out the provisions of the Evidence Act
and are intent on assuring that States are robustly engaged by agencies
in the required development of agency learning agendas. Overseen by the
head of each Federal agency, the purpose of the learning agendas,
according to the Evidence Act, is ``identifying and addressing policy
questions relevant to the programs, policies, and regulations of the
agency.''
According to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO)
report, (GAO-20-119, Evidence-Based Policymaking), however, ``evidence-
building activities are fragmented within . . . agencies and occur at
multiple levels and entities within and across the agencies'' and that
``uncoordinated or poorly coordinated efforts can waste scarce funds
and limit their effectiveness.'' The report went on to say that
``[e]ffectively-coordinated [evidence building] processes can help
agencies ensure they are comprehensively and systematically looking
across their organizations to leverage their existing evidence and
focus limited resources on building new evidence . . . Such processes
can help ensure agencies are well positioned to meet forthcoming
Evidence Act requirements related to assessing and prioritizing
evidence across the entire agency.'' GAO reiterated the importance of
active Federal agency engagement, as ``through this engagement,
agencies may find that external stakeholders (and States), have, or are
aware of, existing evidence that helps the agency meet its needs or
provide a fuller picture of performance . . . [and] ensure it is
meeting the evidence needs of decision makers.''
Given the numerous Federal agency programs, policies, and
regulations that directly affect the collective States, agency
coordination with States and the integration of state data into those
relevant Federal programs is paramount to their success. For these
reasons, Western Governors encourage the subcommittee to direct Federal
agencies to improve their internal processes required in the Evidence
Act to coordinate with States on Federal data policies and procedures
and incorporate state data into Federal decision-making processes.
Western Governors also support full and consistent Federal funding to
carry out the requirements of this critical legislation and ensure that
agencies have the capacity and resources required to fulfill GAO's
evidence-based policymaking recommendations.
Finally, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a
critical role in rural economic development, particularly in light of
recently allocated supplemental funding that has significantly expanded
assistance available to communities. Western Governors encourage
increased flexibility in the allowable uses of EDA funds so rural
communities can prioritize investments that improve quality of life and
amenities. Relatedly, outcome metrics based solely on the absolute
number of jobs created do not reflect the important economic benefits
of such investments. Nor do they account for the relative effect of job
creation in communities with small populations or areas with high
unemployment or poverty rates.
Western Governors recommend an increase in the proportion of
economic development and infrastructure funding that goes toward
capacity building. Strengthening local capacity by providing ample and
consistent Federal funding for institutions, training, and technical
assistance is essential to maximize the effect of State and Federal
resources and to ensure that assistance reaches the communities that
need it most.
Western Governors recognize the enormous challenge you have in
balancing competing funding priorities, and we appreciate the
difficulty of the decisions the subcommittee must make. These
recommendations are offered in a spirit of cooperation and respect, and
WGA is prepared to assist you as the subcommittee discharges its
critical and challenging responsibilities.
[This statement was submitted by James D. Ogsbury, Executive
Director]