U.S. Government Relations
The SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (SSA) is a scientific society devoted to the advancement of earthquake science. SSA was founded to "promote research in seismology, the scientific investigation of earthquakes and related phenomena, to promote public safety by all practical means, and to enlist the support of the people and the government in the attainment of these ends."
SSA is the largest and most respected society of seismologists in the world. We are an unbiased source of reliable information for any governmental agency or official seeking sound scientific advice. In the U.S. we are active participants in the Congressional Hazards Caucus Alliance, the NEHRP Coalition, the USGS Coalition, the Coalition for NSF and the Geo-Policy Working Group. If you have questions, we invite you to contact us at GovtRel [at] seismosoc [dot] org.
SSA Government Relations Committee
SSA's public policy activities include educating our members on policy issues that affect the science, issuing resolutions or position statements on seismic matters, and providing information on seismic issues to U.S. legislators and staff, including responding to invitations to provide testimony before congressional committees.
Members of the Government Relations Committee
Government Relations News
Annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Days September 21 & 22, 2010 (25 June 2010)
SSA Co-Sponsors Public Briefing on “Disaster Preparedness: Lessons from the Great Southern California ShakeOut” (30 July 2009)
House Holds Hearings on NEHRP Reauthorization (26 June 2009)
IRIS "Seismological Grand Challenges…" Report Now Available (14 May 2009)
Second Annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Days September 15 & 16, 2009 (14 May 2009)
OPINION: SSA Goes to Washington from SRL Vol. 80 No. 2 (March/April 2009)
NEHRP 2009-2013 Strategic Plan Available Online (26 November 2008)
AGI Publishes Transition Document for Next U.S. Administration (10 October 2008)
Public Briefing on Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction (26 September 2008)
Geoscientists Visit Congress (15 September 2008)
SSA Releases New Summary of Public Policy Positions (7 August 2008)
SSA members Testify on USGS Budget (23 May 2008)
SSA Co-Sponsors Congressional Briefing (13 November 2007)
Position Statements
- Comment on Reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) (June 2009)
- Summary of SSA Public Policy Positions (July 2008)
- Actions for Managing Earthquake Risk
- In Support of Improved Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
- Monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (revised, December 2007)
- SSA Resolution supporting an ANSS
- Resolution in Support of the National Science Foundation's EarthScope Initiative
Sign up for E-mail Updates and Alerts
SSA Action List
(Government Relations and Earthquake Science)
Getting Involved
Communicating with Congress
See
this site for tips on how to write to or visit your congressional representative,
or email SSA Executive Director Susan Newman at <snewman [at] seismosoc.org> for assistance.
Congressional Fellowships
See this page for more information on Congressional Fellowships offered by earth science societies (Science Fellows augment Congressional staffs and can have a big impact on public policy).
Some Key Congressional Committees
The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is authorized by the following committees:
Research Subcommittee
of the House Science Committee
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
After a program is authorized, funds must be appropriated for each government agency involved by one of the several subcommittees of the appropriations committees in the House and Senate.
NEHRP funds are divided among four agencies. For example, the subcommittee that appropriates funds for the U.S. Geological Survey, part of the Department of the Interior, is called the "Subcommittee on Interior Environmental and Related Agencies " in the House and the "Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies" in the Senate.
The subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee that appropriates NSF funds is called the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science in the Senate and Subcommittee on Science, the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce and related agencies in the Senate.