Issue 20 (October 14)

This month’s Why Social Science? post comes from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) about what they’re doing to continue to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and the connections between policymakers and researchers. SRCD is a COSSA governing member organization.

Read on for more.

As the voice for social and behavioral science research in Washington, COSSA serves as a conduit between the research community and federal policymakers, both in times of opportunity and challenge. Like any cause, there is no single voice, strategy, or tactic that will compel our elected officials to appreciate and, more importantly, act to ensure robust and sustained funding for our sciences. Instead, it demands ongoing outreach and consistent engagement.COSSA is committed to the fight for social and behavioral science research. But we can’t do it alone.

Your tax-deductible contribution makes it possible for COSSA to continue its advocacy work, explore new strategies that meet the current moment, and provide unique opportunities and resources. Together we can achieve COSSA’s goal to preserve and protect the undeniable place of social and behavioral science research in creating a safer, healthier, and prosperous world. Support our critical work by donating today!

On October 1, federal funding lapsed in the absence of a budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026, shutting down the federal government for the first time since the historic thirty-five-day shutdown under President Trump’s first term. As previously reported by COSSA, Senate Democrats clashed with the Republican majority over a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) that did not address Democrats’ concerns over extending the expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, reversing some of the Medicaid cuts enacted in the “big, beautiful bill,” and including language to prohibit funding cuts and pocket recissions. 

While both parties are generally supportive of extending the ACA subsidies, so far Democrats are unwavering in their effort to extend them before the healthcare enrollment period begins on November 1. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) publicly proposed H.R. 5154 to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), which would extend the subsidies by one year, but Rep. Jeffries rejected the bill as a solution as it had little support from the Republicans. Further, any new legislation would be difficult to pass with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) suspending session for the lower chamber in an attempt to pressure the Senate into advancing the House-passed CR. Several House Republicans, including Reps. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), have urged Speaker Johnson to return to regular operations; however, he has thus far remained firm in his decision. With Senate Democrats doubling down on their refusal of the House-passed CR and House Republicans refusing to negotiate with their colleagues across the aisle, Congress does not appear any closer to a resolution.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the government shutdown, the Senate is continuing to move FY 2026 funding bills through regular order. On October 9, the Senate advanced their Defense bill in a 77-20 vote along party lines after a marathon voting session on several amendments and concessions, including a commitment to Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) from Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) that he would hold a hearing on the Trump Administration’s controversial use of the National Guard. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) has also indicated intent to advance a minibus package that would include the Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, and Transportation-HUD bills once the House returns to session, which may not be until after legislation is passed to reopen the government.

Stay tuned for COSSA’s continued coverage on the appropriations process.

9 Universities Asked to Sign White House Compact in Exchange for Funding

Earlier this month, nine of the nation’s leading research universities received letters from the White House urging that they agree to Trump Administration priorities in exchange for federal funding. The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education lays out several conditions, such as freezing tuition rates for five years, capping international student enrollment, agreeing to the Administration’s definitions of gender, and “transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spart violence against conservative ideas.”

In return, institutions that sign the compact will be guaranteed: “(i) access to student loans, grant programs, and federal contracts; (ii) funding for research directly or indirectly; (iii) approval of student and other visas in connection with university matriculation and instruction; and (iv) preferential treatment under the tax code.” Implementing a system such as this would significantly upend the higher education ecosystem and research enterprise as they currently exist, which has been a goal of this Administration.

However, some universities and higher education organizations are publicly expressing concerns about the proposal, noting that some of the demands, such as prohibiting university employees from speaking out about societal or political events, are unconstitutional.

The nine universities involved include: University of Arizona, Brown University, Dartmouth College, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia. The institutions are given until October 20 to provide feedback on the compact, with the White House aiming to have signed agreements in hand by November 21.

Five senior officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been officially terminated after having been placed on administrative leave earlier this year. These include: Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Diana Bianchi, director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Eliseo Pérez-Stable, director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities; Shannon Zenk, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research; and Tara Schwetz, NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives. The affected institutes have been led by acting directors since March.

On September 30, the Trump Administration’s nomination for Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), EJ Antoni, was rescinded. As previously reported by COSSA, President Trump fired Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after the initial release of the August jobs report and accused her of falsifying the released data. While the agency has continued operations in the absence of a commissioner, BLS will not be releasing the monthly jobs report during the government shutdown (see related article). It is currently unclear who President Trump intends to nominate in Antoni’s place.

 Follow COSSA’s continued coverage on BLS here.

This fall, the American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS), a COSSA member, will award the 2025 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize to distinguished scholar on Ukraine and European authoritarianism, Timothy Snyder.

This annual prize honors “social scientists, public officials, and civic leaders” who use “informed judgement to advance the public good.”

Every year, the winner of the Moynihan Prize gives the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lecture in Washington D.C. Snyder will deliver this year’s lecture on October 30, followed by a conversation with Executive Director of the Women’s Foreign Policy Group, Alexa Chopivsky.

If you are interested in attending this event, please fill out the form on the AAPSS site by October 25.

AAPSS has started considering nominees for next year’s Prize. You can submit a nomination for the 2026 winner here.

This article was contributed by COSSA Intern Anne Tighe.