On October 27, 2020, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a report describing President Trump’s science and technology (S&T) accomplishments during his first term in office. Notably, a press statement released along with the report highlighted “ending the COVID-19 pandemic” as one of the achievements.

On October 29, 2020, the Trump Administration announced the removal of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act list, ending federal protections for one of the first species safeguarded by the Act and placing the responsibility of overseeing the predators on states and tribes. The delisting would affect gray wolf populations in the lower 48 states.

AIBS is deeply concerned by this proposal to impose complicated new visa restrictions on international students and urge that the proposed rule be withdrawn in its entirety.

After public outcry over a months-long delay, the Trump Administration has moved ahead with the fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) by soliciting nominations for authors and technical input.

On October 16, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the One Trillion Trees Interagency Council and increasing U.S. involvement in the global Trillion Trees Initiative in an attempt to boost his environmental credentials ahead of the election.

A new report from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Perils of Complacency: America at a Tipping Point in Science & Engineering, urges significant action and research funding to ensure that the United States does not lose its leadership position in innovation.

Negotiations continue between the White House and congressional leaders over the next emergency relief package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with disagreements persisting over the price tag of the measure.

The Public Policy Report has been released. The report provides analysis and communication on important issues in the scientific community.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed rulemaking on September 25, 2020 that would impose new restrictions on international student visas. The proposed changes would require international students to apply for a visa extension after fixed terms of two to four years.

Forty-three scientific societies, including the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), have written to the National Science Foundation (NSF) to highlight the important role scientific associations have played during the COVID-19 pandemic.