We are pleased that science, engineering, and medicine are at the core of historic legislation recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. This landmark legislation will boost U.S. competitiveness and national security, strengthen America’s infrastructure, spur basic research that drives innovation, and make real progress on decarbonizing our economy and protecting our planet and human health. In addition, the legislation will help lower the cost of prescription drugs for millions of Americans and provide attention to veterans suffering from long-term effects of exposure to toxins while serving overseas.

For decades, the work of the National Academies has helped lay the foundation for many of the actions called for — including our work on strengthening the U.S. economy, combatting climate change, making medicines more affordable, and improving the health and well-being of veterans.

As the nation puts these laws into action, the National Academies stand ready to mobilize the broader science, engineering, and medical and health communities to help inform and implement solutions; in particular, we look forward to providing advice to the National Science Foundation on its new technology directorate, as called for by one of the new acts. We are grateful for the nation’s continued investments in science, engineering, and medicine, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that they will benefit all of society.

Marcia McNutt
President, U.S. National Academy of Sciences

John L. Anderson
President, U.S. National Academy of Engineering  

Victor J. Dzau
President, U.S. National Academy of Medicine