The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown Saturday at 12:01 Eastern after the Senate failed to resolve a showdown over funding for DHS and restrictions on ICE.
U.S. Congress
Posted inNews
After Sackett, a Wisconsin-Sized Wetland Area Is Vulnerable
An analysis of wetland legal frameworks shows how water rules could leave millions of hectares without meaningful protections.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Science Agencies Shuttered in Government Shutdown
At 12:01 a.m. this morning, the U.S. federal government shut down. This shutdown comes after weeks of negotiations and pressure tactics failed to bring Congressional Republicans and Democrats together on a budget for the 2026 fiscal year or a continuing resolution to fund the government for a few more weeks.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Geoengineering Fears on Display at Congressional Hearing
Misunderstandings and disinformation abounded at a 16 September hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency about geoengineering—efforts to alter Earth systems for the purpose of mitigating climate change.
Posted inResearch & Developments
EPA Moves to Rewrite Water Rules Following Sackett Decision
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin announced today that the agency would kick off a review of EPA rules and redefine “waters of the United States” to ensure that the agency aligns with the 2023 Supreme Court decision Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which limited the implementation of the Clean Water Act.
Posted inOpinions
The Supreme Court Is Bypassing Science—We Can’t Ignore It
The court’s exclusion of scientists from the environmental rulemaking process comes full circle as the EPA strips federal protections for wetlands.
Posted inNews
Racist Slurs in Place-Names Have to Go, Say Geoscientists
An open letter from geoscientists supports a bill to remove racist slurs from federally recognized lakes, creeks, canyons, and other small landforms.
Posted inOpinions
How Scientists Can Engage to Solve the Climate Crisis
Policymakers need scientists. Here’s how one geoscientist contributed to a U.S. congressional report that’s already churning out legislation—and real action.
Posted inOpinions
New Clean Water Act Rule Leaves U.S. Waters Vulnerable
A revised definition of which waters can be protected from pollution by the federal government ignores established science.
Posted inNews
China Challenges U.S. Science Dominance
A recent Congressional hearing and National Science Board report show that U.S. leadership faces growing global competition.