Ron Wyden - Senior Senator for Oregon, 1996-2022

Senator Wyden receives an A for his high overall support of neuroscience funding and goals. Notably, he has signed both the BRAIN initiative Dear Colleague letter and the NIH funding version, and has signed on to a number of useful acts this term. He has additionally defended international research collaborations in a senate hearing and previously advocated for more open and accessible science. As a powerful ranking member of the Committee on Finance and member of the Committee on the Budget, we believe he uses his influence to advocate positively for NIH and NSF support.

Co-sponsored: S.448 - Graduate Student Savings Act of 2019

Co-sponsored: S.1744 - Keep STEM Talent Act of 2019

Co-sponsored: S.448 - Graduate Student Savings Act of 2019

Co-sponsored: S.1067 - Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019

Jeff Merkley - Junior Senator for Oregon, 2009-2020

Senator Merkley earns an A+ for his consistent use of powerful positions on the powerful Committee on Appropriations including specifically the subcommittee that governs the HHS, as well as the Committee on the Budget to advocate strongly for science funding. He has advocated for neuroscience research, co-authoring the BRAIN initiative Dear Colleague letter and signing on to the NIH funding version. He has been a member of the NIH caucus since it’s initiation, his sponsorships and statements belie a deep understanding of the issues facing science and neuroscientists, and he has demonstrated a strong desire to do something positive about it. 

“I’ve used my seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fight for much-needed increases in resources.”

Co-sponsored: S.775 - Scientific Integrity Act

Co-sponsored: S.1338 - Beyond the Box for Higher Education Act of 2019

Co-sponsored: S.901 - Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act

Co-sponsored: S.427 - Autism CARES Act of 2019

Co-sponsored: S.2579 - STEM Opportunities Act of 2019