Comment from Tracy Mandel

[200.432, 200.454, 200.461, 200.206, 200.450] To Whom it May Concern: I am an Assistant Professor of Ocean Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire. I am writing in my personal capacity to oppose the proposed revisions to sections 200.432, 200.454, 200.461, 200.206, and 200.450 that would restrict typical professional expenses, curtail the communication of scientific results, and place excessive scrutiny on the activities of scientists. Professional societies/associations provide the much-needed connections and networking required to do the best possible science. A single scientist working in isolation will not be as innovative or impactful as a scientist who collaborates, or who receives regular feedback and ideas on their work. Societies that bring scientists together help make U.S. the world leader in scientific and technological innovation. Conference locations are not always known multiple years ahead of time; for example, an international conference series may announce that they will be based in the U.S. for the next meeting 3 years in the future (see e.g. the IAHR International Symposium in Environmental Hydraulics, to be held in Iowa in 2027) and therefore provide a valuable opportunity at lower cost. Allowing scientists, under the guidance of their institutions and federal contracts, to have flexibility in conference attendance will help enable opportunities and scientific ideas that may not otherwise occur. It is impossible to do research without being able to access the prior work that serves as the foundation for every field. Having access to publications across a variety of fields and journals allows scientists to identify knowledge gaps and apply innovative tools from one field to another field requiring new tools. I have published 5 papers in the last couple of years. Publishing these papers has allowed me to have a compelling track record for my tenure and promotion case, allowing me job security in my position to explore more high-risk, innovative, and creative ideas. Publishing this work has led to innovations and connections across my field with other researchers. Prohibiting the use of funding toward research publishing costs and conference attendance will grind the U.S. scientific and technology enterprise to a halt. Researchers will not be able to share innovations with other scientists, the general public whose tax dollars fund the research, or stakeholders such as policy makers, engineers, and technology innovators who will leverage research for the public and economic good.