How the White House Budget Would Affect Infrastructure and Engineering
March 23, 2017
The White House released its budget blueprint for FY 2018 last week, signaling its priorities to Congress as it ramps up the annual appropriations process. The White House’s budget would increase defense spending by $54 billion and offset that increase with broad cuts elsewhere in discretionary spending. It will be up to House and Senate......
January 05, 2016
As civil engineers, ASCE works with federal lawmakers to pass legislation that will improve the nation’s “D+” infrastructure. In 2015, the federal government passed several notable pieces of legislation that will increase investment into our nation’s infrastructure and also prepare the next generation of civil engineers through STEM education. Here’s a review of the accomplishments.......
Congress’ Infrastructure To Do List for Fall
September 03, 2015
Summer comes to an end next week as Congress returns to the Capitol after a five-week recess. Deadlines will be the theme this fall, with the first being the Oct. 1 funding deadline to keep the government open. The second important deadline for ASCE is Oct. 29, when MAP-21, the surface transportation bill, expires. With......
April 21, 2015
Exposing students to a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum is an essential part of making sure we are prepared for our future infrastructure needs, as it ensures that the next generation has civil engineers who can continue to be stewards of our nation’s infrastructure. Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering an education bill......
D.C.’s Dunbar High School Goes Deep to Go Green
October 10, 2013
Historic Dunbar High School, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., has gone deep to go green. While the new school building has all the outward qualities a student could want – a beautiful theater, a gym and pool, open space, and so much more – the most fascinating part of the school’s renovation is......
Draft Bill Would Change Long Established Peer Review For NSF Research
May 13, 2013
Draft legislation is being circulated by new House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) which would require all research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to be certified to “advance the national health, prosperity, or welfare” and “secure the national defense” of the United States. The NSF must certify that each funded project is......
Obama’s FY 2014 Priorities STEM Education Programs
April 19, 2013
The President’s FY 2014 budget request places new emphasis on STEM (Science-Technology- Education-Mathematics) education. The total STEM education funding request, across all federals agencies, amounts to $3.1 billion; this represents an increase of 6.7 percent over 2012 funding levels. While the proposed increase is noteworthy, the President’s proposal includes an ambitious reorganization of federal STEM......