Final Month to Apply for the Congressional Policy Fellowship

Since the last post in November, I have learned a lot more about the Congressional process and how legislation moves, as well as the day to day duties of a Member of Congress. I have also witnessed the dedication of elected officials and their staff to supporting constituents, while working towards a larger cause to serve this nation and uphold American values.

It is very inspiring working for a scientist who came to Congress to support U.S. science and research many years ago. During my time here, I delved into several policy issues through legislation, letters, and events and meetings within my policy portfolio, which includes science & technology, STEM education and immigration issues, and working with the R&D Caucus & National Labs Caucus.

In addition to performing the day to day duties of a Congressional staffer, one exciting opportunity has been the ability to contribute to policy projects on issues that I am very passionate about. To make this more concrete for those looking to follow in my footsteps, I wanted to share a few proud accomplishments to date for projects I have led on or participated in.

These include:

Assisting with legislation co-sponsorship for the STEM workforce, graduate students, and U.S. leadership in AI.

• RESEARCHER Act which requires executive guidance and policy changes with respect to the compensation and benefits afforded to graduate and postdoctoral researchers. 

• The POST GRAD Act which aims to restore subsidized loans for graduate students.

• NSF AI Education Act of 2024 which supports NSF's AI education and professional development mission for students (including at community colleges) and teachers.

• Expanding AI Voices Act which facilitates capacity building, promotes increased access, and broadens participation in AI research, education, and workforce development, including through partnerships and outreach activities.

Helping with signing letters to support federal agency R&D funding for science.

• Whereas these are not public letters, they urged increased funding for science agencies in FY25 appropriations in space, energy and environmental science to support innovative research in universities and national laboratories and maintain U.S. leadership.

Writing remarks and talking points, staffing Member of Congress at events highlighting the importance of federal research funding for U.S. competitiveness, innovation and economic growth.

• New Currency of Power: The Future of U.S. Science and Technology event held on Capitol Hill hosted by Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC) and the NSF National Science Board, highlighted the importance of maintaining robust federal funding for scientific research. 

• ROADMAP Summit event that celebrated how federal investments in the CHIPS and Science Act have facilitated regional innovation across the nation. 

• Federal Innovation Driving National Progress event hosted by the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) and the Congressional R&D Caucus, showcased how groundbreaking research in federal labs drives economic growth.

Attending meetings and events on scientific research, AI, quantum computing, innovation, STEM immigration, tech hubs, and international scientific collaboration

Whereas these are not public meetings and events, they involved discussing research support in universities and national laboratories, including STEM workforce development and diversity in STEM, and regional innovation efforts.

These opportunities only scratched the surface of what’s possible in a Congressional role like this. As activities in the new Congress begin to get underway, I look forward to many more contributions to advancing our nation’s research enterprise into the future. To follow along and keep up to date with future projects, connect with me on multiple platforms and my website. 

Apply for the Congressional Policy Fellowship

Dr. Bankston is the 2024-2025 ASGCT-AAAS Congressional Policy Fellow.

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