Lawmakers Struggle to Pass Short-Term Funding Bill as Shutdown Looms
Congress headed into recess last Friday with no agreement to prevent a government shutdown. The Senate rejected both a Democratic funding proposal, which included health care and energy provisions, and a Republican "clean" stopgap, leaving lawmakers with less than two weeks before government funding expires on September 30.
The Republican-led continuing resolution (CR) would extend current funding levels through November 21. Democrats countered with their own shorter-term measure, set to expire on October 31, which included policy riders aimed at reversing Trump-era freezes and restoring previously rescinded funds. The Democratic proposal would direct the Department of Energy to spend funds as intended by appropriators in the 2024 spending bill; provide expanded flexibility for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spend or award certain funds; extend Affordable Care Act subsidies; reverse recent Medicaid cuts; restore funding for public broadcasters; and limit the White House's ability to withhold congressionally approved funds via pocket rescissions.
House Republicans quickly rejected the Democratic measure and passed their CR on Friday, while the Senate voted down both proposals. Negotiations have largely stalled along partisan lines, with Democrats insisting on health care extensions and Republicans opposing provisions for energy and climate programs. With neither side showing willingness to compromise and leaders publicly blaming one another, a shutdown appears increasingly likely.
Meanwhile, negotiations on fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills are moving in parallel. On September 4, the House narrowly passed its Energy and Water spending bill on a 214-213 vote. The bill would raise Department of Energy's Office of Science budget by 2% to $8.4 billion, with most programs seeing modest increases, but cuts of 12% to biological and environmental research and 2% to high-energy physics. This contrasts with the Trump Administration's proposal for a 14% overall cut and a 56% reduction to biological and environmental research. The Senate has yet to release its version, as negotiations between top appropriators remain stalled.
Separately, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) and the Commerce, Science, and Justice (CJS) spending bills, approving nearly flat funding for the National Institutes of Health and a 23% cut to the National Science Foundation. The CJS bill includes an amendment prohibiting the Administration from closing NOAA laboratories and university-based cooperative institutes that conduct research on extreme weather and climate disasters. Overall, the bill would give NOAA a smaller 6% cut compared to the 24% cut proposed by the President. With these actions, the House panel has advanced all 12 appropriations bills to the chamber floor, while the Senate committee has advanced eight.
Former CDC Director Warns of Eroding Scientific Integrity
At a tense Senate hearing held September 17, ousted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez testified that she was fired after refusing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s demands to dismiss vaccine scientists and pre-approve policy changes without scientific review.
Monarez and former CDC chief medical officer Debra Houry, who resigned when Monarez was fired, accused Kennedy of sidelining evidence, undermining trust in vaccines, and endangering children's health. "I was fired for holding the line on scientific integrity," said Monarez, who was dismissed by Kennedy just 29 days after she was confirmed as the head of the CDC.
Republicans on the health committee used the hearing to criticize the CDC's pandemic-era decisions, while Democrats pressed the witnesses for details of political interference. Monarez cautioned that weakening scientific integrity at the nation's top public health agency risks a resurgence of preventable diseases and further erosion of trust in public health institutions.
The hearing highlighted Kennedy's broader push to reshape vaccine policy, including his dismissal of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel and intent to alter the childhood immunization schedule. Senators expressed alarm that these changes could weaken confidence in routine vaccines, with committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) saying that if the new committee were to make changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, Americans should not have confidence in their decisions.
Later in the week, the vaccine advisory panel voted not to recommend giving the combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella shot to children under 4 years old but abandoned a vote on a new hepatitis B vaccine schedule.
House Republicans Target National Academies as Report Reaffirms Climate Risks
Two Republican-led House committees are questioning the credibility of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), just as the organization released a major report affirming the health risks of climate change.
On September 3, the House Oversight Committee accused NASEM of conducting a climate-health study with "partisan aims." The report is in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's recent move to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding. Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) said NASEM "is fundraising off what it refers to as the 'climate crisis,' which raises additional questions about a predetermined outcome and conflicts of interest."
The House Appropriations Committee later warned agencies in a report accompanying a FY 2026 spending bill for health agencies "to use caution when entering into new agreements with NASEM and to consider alternative means for obtaining objective scientific review." The appropriations panel's language, though not binding, could discourage agencies from commissioning NASEM reports, which have long informed U.S. policy across science and health.
NASEM President Marcia McNutt defended the academy's process as rigorous, peer-reviewed, and shaped by diverse expertise, including industry voices. Research advocates also noted that other spending bills moving through both chambers direct agencies to fund new NASEM studies, underscoring a split in congressional attitudes.
The attacks came just before NASEM published a sweeping analysis reaffirming the endangerment finding that greenhouse gases harm human health. The report, authored by a 16-member panel of experts and informed by more than 600 peer-reviewed studies, found that evidence of climate-related threats--from extreme weather to disease--is "beyond scientific dispute."
While NASEM's findings reinforce the broad scientific consensus on climate change, the political backlash underscores the challenges the institution may face in its 162nd year as Congress's chartered scientific adviser.
The NASEM report contrasts sharply with a Department of Energy (DOE) report, prepared by a panel of five climate contrarians appointed by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, which downplays the role of fossil fuels in global warming. Facing a lawsuit, DOE has now disbanded the panel, saying it fulfilled its purpose by releasing the draft. Although the group is dissolved, DOE will not withdraw the report. Legal experts caution that the panel's dissolution could undermine the report's credibility as a foundation for major regulatory rollbacks.
Interior Moves to Repeal Biden's Public Lands Rule
The Department of the Interior has issued a proposed rule to rescind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 2024 public lands rule, which recognized conservation as a formal use of BLM-managed rangelands alongside energy development and recreation.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum argued the rule "had the potential to block access to hundreds of thousands of acres" and violated federal law by restricting the bureau's authority to balance the management of rangelands for multiple uses. The proposal follows a five-month review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and BLM.
Key elements of the rule targeted for repeal include a restoration and mitigation leasing program and expanded oversight of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). Conservation groups warn that undoing the rule will weaken protections against wildfires, drought, and other climate impacts, while industry groups say repealing it would preserve access to lands for energy development and strengthen U.S. energy independence.
BLM has opened a 60-day public comment period through November 10, and the White House plans to finalize the repeal in November.
NIH Issues Statements on Foreign Collaborations and Academic Freedom
In late August, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya released two statements outlining the agency's priorities for safeguarding foreign collaborations and fostering an environment where "scientists feel empowered to communicate their scientific expertise and research findings freely."
On August 25, Bhattacharya emphasized that international collaborations funded by NIH must have a clear rationale for being conducted abroad and produce knowledge directly relevant to improving or protecting Americans' health. The statement builds on NIH's May announcement that it will restructure the process for foreign subawards beginning in FY 2026. Bhattacharya also underscored the need for transparency and accountability in how NIH funds are spent overseas.
Later that week, he announced that NIH will adopt an agency-wide framework to embed principles of academic freedom within its intramural research program, though details of that framework have not yet been released.
Science Coalition Urges Highest Possible Level of NSF Funding Ahead of Conference Negotiations
The Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF)--an alliance of more than 140 professional organizations, scientific societies, universities, and businesses that advocate for the National Science Foundation (NSF)--has called on congressional appropriators to fund NSF at the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2026. AIBS is a member of CNSF.
The letter reads in part: "We understand the difficult fiscal climate and appreciate the rejection of the massive cuts proposed for NSF in the budget request in the proposed FY 26 bills. We hope you will support the higher level of funding represented in the Senate bill. Cuts to NSF would be devastating to the U.S. innovation ecosystem and national security. The budget request notes that at the proposed level, NSF would impact 240,000 fewer people than it did in FY 2024 and make over 7,000 fewer awards. At this level of funding, whole fields could disappear, many students would give up on STEM, and our innovation ecosystem would lose future discoveries and the workforce that it needs to thrive. Even cuts at the House level would result in dramatic rollbacks of many critical areas of research."
The letter also expresses concerns about substantial cuts in both bills for the Directorate for STEM Education and requests that any short-term continuing resolution protect NSF from irreversible cuts and actions until Congress has a chance to finalize FY 2026 appropriations.
Read the letter.
AIBS Joins Letter in Support of Advanced Agricultural Research at USDA
The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has joined other stakeholders in supporting a letter in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) recent National Farm Security Action Plan. The letter commends the inclusion of research and innovation as key priorities in the plan and encourages USDA to leverage the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) to lead coordination with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other agencies.
The letter argues that advanced research in areas like plant and animal diseases, food system resilience, and supply chain integrity is a strategic necessity, not an option. It stresses the importance of not falling behind foreign powers that are aggressively investing in these areas. By fully utilizing AGARDA, the letter suggests, the USDA would be demonstrating its commitment to fortifying the nation's agricultural infrastructure and ensuring food security in the face of global challenges.
Read the letter.
National Fossil Day is October 15
National Fossil Day, an annual celebration organized by the National Park Service (NPS), will take place on October 15, 2025. The event highlights the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations.
The 16th annual celebration will include paleontology activities planned by partner organizations across the United States. AIBS partners with the National Park Service every year to promote the event.
The participation of local museums, universities, and other scientific organizations is central to National Fossil Day. Help your local community learn about local paleontological and natural resources by participating in the event. To join NPS as a partner, visit their website.
Last Chance to Enter the 15th Annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest
Enter the Faces of Biology Photo Contest for a chance to win $250 and to have your photo appear on the cover of the journal BioScience.
The competition showcases, in a personal way, biological research in its many forms and settings. The images help the public and policymakers better understand the value of biological research and education. The competition is sponsored by the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in addition to the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS).
"The Faces of Biology Photo Contest is more than just a competition; it's an opportunity to capture science through photography, to celebrate creativity, and to connect society with the beauty in biology," said Scott Glisson, AIBS Chief Executive Officer. "It reminds us that every moment in science is worth preserving, and every scientist has a story to tell."
The theme of the contest is "Faces of Biology." Photographs entered into the competition must depict a person, such as a scientist, technician, or student, engaging in biological research. The depicted research may occur outside, in a lab, with a natural history collection, on a computer, in a classroom, or elsewhere.
The winning photos from the 2024 contest were featured in the April 2025 issue of BioScience.
Submissions must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 30, 2025. For more information or to enter the contest, visit our website.
Nominations Sought for the IDEA2L Leadership Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the AIBS Inspiring Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Acceptance, Accessibility, and Learning (IDEA2L) Leadership Award, which recognizes commendable leadership in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and learning in the biological sciences community.
Awards will be made at the discretion of the AIBS IDEA2 Committee, which may choose one award, no award, or multiple awards in any one year.
Individual award recipients will receive complimentary registration to an AIBS Professional Development Training Course. Recipients are also given a $500 honorarium or the option of donating the amount to an AIBS Initiative. With their approval, awardees will also receive additional recognition at AIBS events and on the AIBS website.
Anyone may submit a nomination for the IDEA2L Award with the candidate's permission. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations must clearly document why the candidate should be considered, above all others, for this distinguished award.
Learn more about the nomination and selection process.
Short Takes
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) GRANTED initiative works to strengthen the nation's research enterprise by addressing systemic barriers and enhancing support services. To assist grant seekers, the GRANTED team is hosting virtual office hours on Wednesday, September 24, from 3:00-4:00 PM (ET). Participants can receive expert guidance, ask questions, and gain insights to improve their grant applications. No registration required--just join via Zoom.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new visa restrictions that would end international students' ability to stay in the U.S. for the full duration of their studies. Programs longer than four years would require students to apply for extensions, potentially involving new fees, biometric data, or in-person interviews. The rule would also restrict changing majors, transferring schools, or pursuing additional programs at the same or lower level. A similar Trump-era proposal was withdrawn by Biden in 2021. Public comments are open on the new proposal until September 29.
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Applicants to NSF's flagship Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) are still waiting for overdue application guidelines, which are typically released in mid-July. The delay follows an unusual award cycle earlier this year, when NSF initially granted fewer than 1000 fellowships--half the usual number--before later adding 500 more. With the agency now signaling late October deadlines, many students remain frustrated by the lack of clarity on eligibility and requirements.
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The Senate last week confirmed a bloc of President Trump's science nominees, including Darío Gil for Department of Energy Under Secretary of Science, Conner Prochaska for ARPA-E Director, and Andrea Travnicek for Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. The confirmations followed a GOP-led rule change allowing certain nominees to be confirmed in groups, which Democrats argue weakens oversight. The rule change also triggered a committee revote on Neil Jacobs, Trump's nominee to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who was advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee in a bipartisan 20-8 vote. Jacobs is likely to be confirmed after the recess.
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NIH has kicked off a yearlong effort to update its biosafety policies, aiming to "revamp biosafety oversight to address potential risks beyond recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid technologies." The initiative will start with regional listening sessions this fall, followed by a draft policy open for public comment in the winter. NIH says the goal is to ensure "gold-standard science" under "gold-standard biosafety conditions." Researchers generally welcome the update but have questions about its scope, funding, and overlap with other federal biosafety rules.
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A new resource, the Anti-Autocracy Handbook: A Scholars' Guide to Navigating Democratic Backsliding, written by Stephan Lewandowsky of the University of Bristol and colleagues, offers guidance for scholars confronting the global rise of authoritarianism, with particular focus on the United States. The authors describe it as "a call to action, resilience, and collective defense of democracy, truth, and academic freedom."
From the Federal Register
The following items appeared in the Federal Register from September 8 to 19, 2025.
Agriculture
Commerce
Environmental Protection Agency
Health and Human Services
Interior
National Science Foundation
Office of Science and Technology Policy
