A staunch supporter of science, Ehlers worked as a research scientist before going into politics.

Randy Showstack
Randy Showstack, senior news writer for Eos.org, reports on policy, politics, and discovery in the areas of Earth and space science and the environment. His coverage ranges from climate change and frontiers of ocean and space research to actions by federal and international agencies, the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court.
Trump Administration Moving Closer to Picking Science Director
The White House is considering separating the usually merged roles of director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and assistant to the president for science and technology.
Build Four New U.S. Polar Icebreakers, Report Urges
All of the ships should be “science ready,” whereas one should be “fully science capable,” according to new recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Trump Administration Scrutinizing Protected Ocean Areas
A recently initiated review of some marine sanctuaries and monuments has conservationists worried that ecological, cultural, and other benefits from those protected areas may not be considered.
State and Local Officials Push for Continued Climate Action
Governors, mayors, citizen groups, and others are moving ahead with regional and smaller-scale efforts to counteract climate change in the wake of the U.S. decision to pull out of the Paris climate agreement.
International Science Group Decries Trump Climate Pact Exit
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics also criticizes the U.S. withdrawal from the Green Climate Fund as perhaps more damaging than the nation’s exit from the Paris climate agreement.
Innovative Postage Stamp Celebrates Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse
The eclipse expert whose photographs appear on the stamp said he is thrilled about the opportunities that the stamp and the eclipse afford to excite people about science.
Strong NSF Funding Favored by House Spending Committee
Although the federal budget request lowers the agency’s funding by 11%, a House appropriations committee chair declared at a hearing his panel’s commitment to U.S. leadership in fundamental research.
USGS Funding Slashed 15% in Proposed Federal Budget
Requested fiscal year 2018 spending levels support energy and mineral resources programs but make deep cuts to climate programs and many other areas.
Trump Says United States Will Withdraw from Paris Climate Accord
Scientists and others decry the decision, arguing that it will slow efforts to address the risks of climate change.