Comment from Nikki Seymour
Nikki SeymourOpposeAcademic
Summary: A researcher and professor at an undergraduate institution opposes the regulation, arguing that it will hinder scientific research, international collaboration, and the training of future workers. They express concern that the changes will delay progress on critical technologies and negatively impact the economy.
I am writing to strongly oppose this OMB regulation. As written, this legislation will hobble scientific research and the communication -- including conference attendance and publication -- of what scientific research these appointees do deem valuable. These collective actions will compromise our standing in the world, not to mention delay or entirely stop progress on many critical technologies across numerous fields such as health, energy, and industry. As a researcher and professor at an undergraduate institution, these changes will prevent me from training the next generation of our workforce by limiting the opportunities I can provide them, and reducing the overall number of students involved in projects. Smaller future workforce, smaller economy. I routinely work with International Scientists, currently on matters of critical minerals, and this opens the door to that work being cut off due to the short-sighted, inept foreign policies of this administration. I reject this change outright and urge you to protect American science.