The letter, addressed to Representatives Mikie Sherrill and Anthony Gonzalez, expresses broad and bipartisan support from a wide coalition of academic, scientific, and industry organizations for the proposed Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019 (SASTA). The signatories commend the representatives for their leadership in introducing this legislation, which aims to protect federally funded research and development from increasing threats, such as foreign interference, cyberattacks, theft, and espionage. The letter highlights key aspects of the bill, including creating an interagency working group for improved coordination among federal science and security agencies, and codifying mechanisms for direct engagement with academia and industry through the establishment of a National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) "Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable."
The signatories emphasize the importance of balancing security with the open exchange of scientific information and the continued free flow of talent, both of which are critical to the advancement of U.S. innovation. The organizations believe that the provisions of SASTA will enhance collaboration, harmonize policies, and enable the research community to contribute meaningfully to safeguarding national security while maintaining scientific excellence. The letter is signed by a comprehensive list of universities, scholarly societies, and organizations representing a wide array of scientific, engineering, and higher education interests, further underscoring the significance and widely recognized necessity of the proposed legislation.
