AAS Warns Against Cuts to S&T Investments, Especially Space
The American Astronautical Society (AAS) released a statement today warning that cutbacks in science and technology (S&T) investments, including the space program, could undermine U.S. economic growth and jobs.
“The nation’s economic future depends on U.S. leadership in high-tech investments,” said Jim Kirkpatrick, AAS Executive Director.
The Society pointed to space program cuts that have been approved by the House Appropriations Committee and in some cases by the full House. They include cuts at the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Geological Survey in the Department of the Interior.
The AAS complimented the House Appropriations Committee on the pace at which it is moving through the FY2012 appropriations bills, and acknowledged that the deficit must be reduced. “But we must not jeopardize our future by dramatic cuts to the central core of our nation’s economic development — investments in science and technology, particularly those associated wtih the space program,” it said.
Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, I am the Vice President-Public Policy of AAS and was part of the team that developed this policy statement.
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