James Reilly, a former astronaut and petroleum geologist, told senators that resolving USGS budget challenges and maintaining the agency’s core mission are other top priorities.
U.S. Congress
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Environmental Ratings Lowest Ever for Congressional Republicans
Senate Republicans averaged 1%, while House GOP members averaged 5%, the worst showing since the League of Conservation Voters scorecard began in 1970.
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House Science Subcommittee Hearing Targets Sexual Harassment
Witnesses testified about the culture that allows sexual harassment to persist, harassment’s impact on individuals and the scientific community, and what is being done to combat it.
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Climate Change Is National Security Risk, Congress Members Warn
The Trump administration’s recently released National Security Strategy differs sharply from Obama’s strategy, which identified climate change as a top strategic risk to the country.
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Divergent Republican Tax Plans Blur Future for Grad Students
The U.S. House of Representatives aims to tax tuition waivers as income, whereas the Senate does not. This new tax would undermine graduate students across all fields, experts say.
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White Draws Fire as Nominee to Head Key Environmental Agency
Kathleen Hartnett White, nominated to chair the White House Council on Environmental Quality, distanced herself from a new climate report and squabbled with Democrats at a Senate confirmation hearing.
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Democratic Leader Blasts Trump’s Pick to Head NASA
With Rep. Jim Bridenstine’s nomination hearing just days away, Sen. Patty Murray charges that his “denial of climate science” and opposition to equal rights “should disqualify him from consideration.”
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Proposed Bill Would Loosen Ocean Drilling Restrictions
The legislation would restrict the withdrawal of offshore areas from oil and gas development and overturn current planning processes.
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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.
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Federal Science Funding Drops Sharply in Trump Budget Plan
Congress has shown bipartisan support for Earth and space sciences in the past. Advocates hope it will do so again.