Toolkits for Action

Contacting elected officials

Last updated: April 28, 2025

Issue Brief 

US federally supported research drives basic science and knowledge production in the U.S.  That research plays a critical role in our economy, health, and well-being, from identifying new treatments for life-altering conditions like Parkinsons, to helping farmers prevent crop diseases, to further analyzing and understanding the history of Jim Crow segregation, and more. Everyone benefits from this shared foundational knowledge, much of which is generated with and dependent on federal support.  But that knowledge is only reliably produced when scholars are free to explore, collaborate, share, and discuss their work – nationally and internationally.

The Trump Administration has issued multiple directives across federal agencies which censor or threaten to restrict research. For instance, “disability” is one of dozens of words that will trigger a review of research at the National Science Foundation.  At the Centers for Disease Control, the term “LGBT” is forbidden, erasing an entire community from new bodies of research. Not only will individuals be unnecessarily harmed by this research suppression, but our nation as a whole will be at risk.  Our longstanding global competitiveness is in jeopardy, and thus our economy.  Our reputation is severely tarnished, which will make it difficult for U.S. researchers to work with their international peers.  And, our ability to recruit, educate, and train a new generation of scholars is uncertain.

As researcher testimonials make clear, censorship of their work creates serious harm. Congress must immediately intervene and demand that U.S. government censorship of research not only stop, but be rolled back. 

Contact your elected officials

1. Find contact information for your elected officials

2. Make your calls 

   1. If leaving voicemail, provide your street address including zip code so your message is counted as coming from a constituent.

   2. If voicemail is full, submit your message through the contact form.

“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR LOCATION].

I’m calling to ask [ELECTED OFFICIAL] to do everything [she/he] can to roll-back U.S. government censorship of academic research.  The work of our country’s researchers benefits everyone in all communities, and should not be restricted by political aims.  Immediate action is necessary to get us back on track for discovering cures for childhood cancers, understanding and learning from history, developing clean and affordable energy sources, and driving the future innovations that will improve all of our lives.

Thank you for your time and consideration.