Not really. But the solar research program there has been gutted. I was kind of worried they might have had to take it down.

Every year I use the famous NREL solar cell efficiency chart in my classes and public outreach talks. Just downloaded the new National Lab of the Rockies version and it made me really angry that I'll have to explain what has happened to science funding in class.

Paging @bluntrochester.senate.gov @coons.senate.gov @mcbride.house.gov

Where do things stand on Congress standing up for the STEM budget that was passed for this FY?

Try telling that to graduate engineering students taking quantum for the first time!

I would argue that's intentional on the part of OMB. Slow the spending pace to the point that there's a lot of money left in August and then pull the rug out from under everyone.

I will only believe that they don't plan to implement Russ Vought's pocket rescission scheme on NSF funding when the money actually goes out the door. So far he is defying Congressional authority on STEM appropriations.

Cc @mcbride.house.gov @coons.senate.gov @bluntrochester.senate.gov

That's my understanding and I largely agree. Only way for sentiment to improve is for society to stop being so polarized, which social media prevents. Partisans out of power say the economy is bad/want it to be and convince the middle it is. No practical way to hit 50% sentiment in this environment.

Thanks for speaking up now I guess.

But he had chances in 2024 to aggressively and actively campaign for Harris when this was all very predictable. Liz Cheney did. Adam Kinzinger did. Romney sat out because in his words he wanted to preserve his ability to contribute to the future GOP.

Coward.

This whole thing will be 10x funnier and more infuriating when he endorses Don Jr or Jared to succeed him.

Are we to assume that Rubio is actually fun to be around? Because that strikes me as highly unlikely.

Heh. Move from Northwestern to Iowa makes sense. Not sure how he got the Illinois and Northwestern gigs in the first place.

My former school, Auburn, has the same red-state playbook. I spoke to someone at UD recently who had a tenure-track offer at an SEC school and warned that this would happen there too. They turned it down. Anyone considering a job in a red state should beware. #AcademicSky

www.al.com/news/2026/04...

Glenn Davis

Reading the news and looking at your board makeup, I think what happened is that he was appointed by a board made up mostly of GOP regents appointed by Walker and now the board has cycled off to be all Evers appointees. Similar stuff at UVA in the past year.

He's the system president, not Madison-specific, right? Sounds like either he and the board aren't aligned politically or there's a scandal that hasn't been made public.

No problem. Sorry this whole discussion blew up your mentions, but good info in any case.

Thanks!

Does Congress have to approve that spending plan again for FY26 awards? Ultimately I'm suspicious that they're trying to delay awards until August to roll unspent money back into a rescission request. Vought created this new pocket rescission toy and I'm skeptical he wouldn't use it to full effect.

One more question while you're here. Have you heard anything about NSF using pocket rescissions to reduce their actual spending in FY26? Dragging their feet on grant awards seems like they're setting this up for August like they did last year with USAID, etc now that the precedent is set.

Thanks!

This from @dangaristo.bsky.social suggested it has already happened, but it's not entirely clear. I *think* they have (or have seized) the power to rearrange the org chart without Congress' approval. Maybe Dan can clarify?

Not positive, but my reading was they were moving staffers around now and using the budget request to justify it.

I did the APS Congressional Visit Day back in Feb. I was surprised how optimistic the Dems I met with were on STEM $. They said there was bipartisan support. That seems true on the funding, but that's why Vought has this scheme.
I will believe it when I see it on pressuring the Executive branch.

We will see how much money NSF actually winds up allocating to grants this year. My theory is that they will try Russ Vought's "pocket rescission" gambit and the total money out the door will roughly match last year's budget ask. It's their version of a line item veto.

Cc @coons.senate.gov @mcbride.house.gov @bluntrochester.senate.gov

Congress didn't go for this last year and won't this year. However, there is an ongoing quiet impoundment on grants that is setting up for an illegal pocket rescission late in the summer. TBD what actual science funding will be this FY and in future years. 🧪⚛️

bsky.app/profile/rbco...

This has to be in the Twitter Hall of Fame.

Glad to hear I'm not crazy for thinking the hype is way ahead of the demonstrated results.

You'd know better than I would, but how long until it makes a meaningful impact in solving the problems it's best suited for?