Science & the Congress

Congressional Briefings

With more than 100 briefings to date, the American Chemical Society’s Science & the Congress Project is intended as a neutral and credible source of scientific information targeted to policymakers on Capitol Hill. Established in 1995, Science & the Congress conducts congressional briefings that provide opportunities for Members of the Congress and their staffs, and the wider science policy community, to gain a greater knowledge of the science involved in numerous public policy issues. Expert speakers are chosen to provide a balanced presentation about the topic under discussion, and their comments are independent of any position that may be held by the American Chemical Society, the sponsors of Science & the Congress, or its co-hosts. More information on topics, speakers, presentations and related materials can be found at the individual briefing web pages below.

Value of Briefings to Policymakers

Value of Briefings to ACS & its Members

Increase awareness of the role and impact of science and technology in public policy
Provide credible information the science underlying policy choices to enhance the scientific literacy of Congress
Promote the responsible use of sound scientific judgment in policymaking
Fill the void left by the downsizing or elimination of government agencies responsible for assisting Congress with assessment and interpretation of scientific information
Foster cooperation within the scientific community in communicating with Congress

Raise the visibility of ACS on Capitol Hill and increase the credibility of its advocacy efforts
Enhance ACS’s leadership role in the science community
Strengthen ties between ACS and other scientific and engineering societies
Improve ACS members’ familiarity with current science policy issues

Recent Briefings

How Do Biofuels Impact Greenhouse Gas Emissions? (August 1, 2008)
STEM Education, Girls and the Challenges that Follow: From the Classroom to STEM Careers (July 16, 2008)
Climate Change: Bringing together Science, Policy & Business (June 4, 2008)
Nanotechnology 102: Understanding Congress’s Role (April 18, 2008)
K-12 STEM Education Models that Work (April 17, 2008)
ZERO Carbon Solutions: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (April 16, 2008)
Future Research Directions in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (March 14, 2008)
Nanotechnology 101: Science, Technology and Health (March 12, 2008)
Balancing Science & Security in a Globalized World (March 4, 2008)
Basic Research Drives Defense Technologies (February 28, 2008)
Educating to Advance Nanotechnology (January 23, 2008)
America, We Have a Problem (December 12, 2007)
Academic Diversity: A Look at Race, Ethnicity, & Gender in Higher Education (October 31, 2007)
The Leaky Science and Engineering Pipeline: How Can We Retain More Women? (October 18, 2007)
Putting the STEM in No Child Left Behind (September 21, 2007)
The Importance of the Diversity Issue to the Competitiveness & Innovation Debate (June 28, 2007)

Archive of Previous Briefings

Contact Us

American Chemical Society
Science & the Congress Project
1155 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-8725 (Phone)
(202) 872-6206 (Fax)
E-mail