Letter to Donald J. Trump, President-Elect - Assistant to the President for Science and Technology

Letter

Dear Mr. President-Elect:

As members of Congress who understand the importance of science to our economic strength, national security and efficient government, we write to respectfully request that you prioritize the appointment of a universally-respected scientist as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology within your first 100 days in office.

When you take office in January, you will be charged with leading our nation's response to global climate change, maintaining American economic competitiveness, keeping our citizenry safe, advancing energy independence, and curing disease. It is critical that you inform your decisions on these matters with scientific knowledge and expertise.

In 1976, Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to facilitate scientifically-sound policy decisions by the Executive Branch. The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology -- known colloquially as the President's Science Advisor -- is responsible for leading this office. As a senior-level White House staff member, your science advisor's responsibilities will be to assist you in determining effective ways to use science and technology to address major national challenges. More broadly, the OSTP he or she will oversee will provide scientific and technological input to agencies regarding rulemakings, budgets, interagency coordination, and other matters of consequence.

We must also remember that federal investments in scientific and technological research have emboldened our nation's entrepreneurial spirit and driven innovation for decades. Federal grants have enabled generations of scientists to make discoveries and breakthroughs that have helped the United States ascend to the top of the global economy, including life-saving vaccines, the MRI, laser technology, touchscreens, and GPS. To continue our path forward, we must recognize that scientific research is a force for good and merits our attention and investment.

In conclusion, we agree with our predecessors in the 94th Congress regarding the role of science in our government. We believe that it is imperative for you to choose, early in your administration, a nationally-respected individual with the appropriate engineering, scientific, management and policy skills.

Thank you for your consideration.