ASA Action Alerts

U.S. Census' Funding Is Uncertain
The Fiscal Year 2008 funding of the U.S. Census is on shaky ground and needs sociologists to contact their respective members of Congress.  (11/2/07)

Social Sciences Under Attack
The social and behavioral science communities successfully protested language in a bill (S. 2802, The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act) introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). The bill aimed to have the National Science Foundation limit its funding to certain sciences only, specifically excluding behavioral and social sciences.

Survey of Income
President Bush's proposed budget for Fiscal 2007 eliminates the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a U.S. Census Bureau data set.  Social scientists are encouraged to sign a letter by March 1, 2006, that will be delivered to the U.S. Congress. Another letter (from organizations and associations) is being sent, also. The purpose of these letters, being circulated by the Center for Economic and Policy Research is to save the SIPP.

Census Funding Threatened
Proposed congressional appropriations for the FY 2006 U.S. Census Bureau budget is inadequate to modernize and fund the American Community Survey.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A proposal by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to discontinue collection of gender data threatens accountability.

Amendment to Appropriations Bill
A September 9, 2004, amendment to appropriations bill threatens integrity of federally funded basic research.

Peer Review Process Under Attack
NIH peer review process is under attack by U.S. House. Political challenge to Senate apropriations bill may surface in September 2004.

ASA Congressional Hearings and Briefings

Sociology research on K-12 educational outcomes shines on Capitol Hill at annual Coalition for National Science Funding Exhibition.

House Science Ccmmittee hearing on social science and disasters.

Social Network Analysis
Military, health, and epidemological sociologists present research on the implications of "six degrees of separation" research for stemming the spread of disease, fighting terrorism, and predicting contagious disease epidemics.

Immigration Briefing
ASA holds Capitol Hill briefing on immigration research.

Social and Economic Consequences of Job Loss
ASA co-sponsors Capitol Hill briefing on social and economic consequences of job loss, drawing standing-room-only audience.

Improving Preparedness for, Response to, and Recovery from Disasters
Sociologists explain how social science research can improve preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters.

Importance of Racial and Ethnic Data In Public Policy and Accountability
ASA leads a highly successful congressional briefing on the importance of racial and ethnic data for public policy and accountability.

ASA Sponsors Popular Research Posters for Congressional and Federal Policy Audience
NSF-funded sociologists discuss research with White House science heads & U.S. Reps. at Capitol Hill exhibition.

ASA Council's Public Statements

Human Rights
Council issues a statement on human rights on the occasion of ASA's centenary.

NSF Waterman Award
Council congratulates sociologists Dalton Conley as first sociologist recipient of the prestigious award.

Gender Differences and Achievement
Council discussed researched causes of sex differences in science and math career achievement.

Appointments to International Advisory Bodies
Council implores President to use science expertise as sole criterion in U.S. Government’s appointment of scientists to international advisory bodies.

Opposition to the Marriage Amendment
Council comments on a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding marriage.

Data Collection and Research on Race (118KB PDF)
Council makes science-based case for the importance of collecting data and doing social scientific research on race, a social construct, for public policy and accountability.

ASA Member Resolution on Iraq
ASA members take a position on conflict in Iraq. (8/03)

Additional Links

Sociologist testifies before House Science Committee on science education.

Proposed Legislation
Rep. Patrick Kennedy introduces a bill addressing disaster preparedness based on sociological research.

Waterman Awardee sociologist Dalton Conley will explain NSF-funded research to congressional audience at annual Coalition for National Science Funding Exhibition.