Science summarized Trump's position against Harris' position on scientific issues. Trump wants to damage basic science as well, Harris - to his predecessor

Ahead of the presidential elections, Science magazine examined the differences between the positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on science and environmental issues

The differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the fields of science. Illustration: depositphotos.com
The differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in the fields of science. Illustration: depositphotos.com

In the fight for the presidency of the United States between the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and the Republican Donald Trump, there are significant differences in issues such as reproductive rights, immigration, the economy and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, the two rarely addressed science issues in their campaign, even though their policies in the field of science may have a large impact on the scientific community in the United States.

In an article published in the journal Science The editors summarized the position of the two candidates in the elections that will be held on November 5, 2024 on the issues important to the scientific community, chief among them - the field of the environment.

Harris supports increasing budgets for basic research and accelerating medical research, especially on climate change issues, while Trump, who is trying to shrink the federal government, may promote areas such as artificial intelligence in an attempt to lead China. While Harris supports cautious international scientific cooperation with China, Trump takes a more hard-line approach.

The field of the environment and the climate crisis

As far as the environment is concerned, there are of course clear differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump:

Kamala Harris: Harris is a prominent supporter of the fight against climate change and the development of renewable energy. It supports increasing investments in sustainable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy, and promotes policies designed to reduce carbon emissions and prevent further environmental damage. Harris is expected to continue the Biden administration's moves regarding international agreements to combat climate change, such as the Paris Agreement, and work to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

It also plans to invest in scientific research concerning the consequences of climate change, with an emphasis on promoting sustainable technological solutions, preserving natural resources, and reducing the environmental effects of industry and transportation.

Trump, on the other hand, takes a skeptical stance towards climate change and criticizes government investments in the fight against it. During his previous term, he withdrew from the Paris Agreement and focused on promoting the fossil fuel industry, such as oil and coal, in order to strengthen the American economy and maintain energy independence. He also advocated deregulation of polluting industries on the grounds that government regulation hindered economic growth.

If Trump is re-elected, it is likely that he will continue the policy of easing environmental restrictions in order to encourage the conventional energy industries, which could lead to increased pollution and damage to global efforts to deal with climate change.

Research budgets

Kamala Harris: Supports increasing budgets for basic research, climate change research and accelerating medical research. It is interested in expanding investments in sustainable energy technologies and funding research in these fields. However, due to the reality of the flat federal budget, she may be required to make tough choices and prioritize some areas over others. Harris is expected to ask for increased funding for research under laws such as the CHIPS and Science Act.

 Donald Trump: intends to reduce federal budgets and reduce government spending, which may lead to cuts in budget proposals for research institutions such as the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and NSF (National Science Foundation). At the same time, promising fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum information science may benefit from investments, as part of its efforts to compete with China and secure the scientific edge of the United States. An increase in budgets in these areas may come at the expense of other scientific areas.

Regulations on researchers

Kamala Harris: Harris is expected to continue the Biden administration's efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on researchers. Research in the United States requires compliance with many regulatory requirements, and many researchers express frustration that 44% of their research time is wasted on bureaucracy. Harris supports the reduction of bureaucracy, while maintaining a balance between reducing the burden of regulation and maintaining research investments.

Donald Trump: During his previous term, Trump tried to promote initiatives to reduce regulation in the research sector, but many political struggles blocked the implementation of these reforms. If re-elected, he is expected to renew his attempts to reduce government regulation, but he may also get tough on universities, particularly in areas related to the fight with China and criticism of diversity and inclusion initiatives (DEIs) at institutions of higher education.

Visas for foreign scientists

Kamala Harris: Recognizes that the United States is heavily dependent on foreign scientists and emphasizes the need to maintain the flow of talent to American research laboratories. It is expected to act to provide work visas for science and technology people, while maintaining secure borders. Harris is interested in encouraging the retention of advanced degree graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields in the United States.

Donald Trump: During his previous term, Trump initiated restrictions on immigrants, including international students and science professionals. If he is re-elected, scientists fear he will repeat a policy of restricting immigration. However, he may be willing to compromise in order to attract the most talented scientists, with the aim of strengthening competition against China.

Scientific Advisor to the President:

Kamala Harris: The traditional democratic administration puts a lot of emphasis on the role of scientific advisor to the president. Harris is expected to appoint a science advisor committed to promoting evidence-based science policy and strengthening the White House Office of Science (OSTP). Harris may appoint experts in the fields of artificial intelligence, health or environmental sciences, depending on its policy priorities.

Donald Trump: During his previous term, Trump appointed Calvin Drugmeier, a meteorologist with a strong academic background, as a science advisor. Trump, however, waited 18 months before appointing a science adviser, drawing criticism from the scientific community. If re-elected, he is likely to adopt a similar approach, with a less prominent scientific advisor who will advance Trump's agenda without overt confrontation with the scientific community.

Cooperation with China:

  Kamala Harris: Harris may pursue an approach of cautious scientific cooperation with China, while limiting China's access to sensitive technologies and protecting American interests. It supports a moderate approach of maintaining cooperation in international research, especially in areas that do not threaten national security.

 Donald Trump: Takes a tougher approach towards China and opposes extensive scientific cooperation with it. He may promote further restrictions on scientific cooperation with China, especially in areas related to military or economic technology.

Scientific education

Kamala Harris: Under the Harris administration, there is expected to be an emphasis on promoting equality in education in the fields of science and increasing diversity in the scientific workforce. She supports expanding access to educational opportunities in STEM fields among disadvantaged population groups.

Donald Trump: During his previous term, Trump promoted a strategic plan to strengthen scientific education and technological skills. However, he did not allocate enough resources for this in his budget. If re-elected, he may focus his efforts on outcomes-based education programs that measure student achievement as a measure of success.

More of the topic in Hayadan: (Beresheet is the Hebrew name for the book of Genesis)

6 תגובות

  1. Over the past fifty years, and especially since the Reagan era, the education system in the US has deteriorated. In order to have enough American scientists, the education system needs to be at least the same as in China, and then there will be no need to import scientists.

  2. Except that we don't know what Harris will really do when she chooses. Trump has a clear opinion of strengthening science in the US, returning it to the days when it was an honor to be an American scientist.

  3. Despite the bias, Trump turns out not bad. It should only be noted that on the subject of general education, the failed and disastrous education system in the US city centers has generally been under the rule of the Democratic Party for decades. And in addition, the teachers' organizations are also largely democrats. They fight fiercely against charter school initiatives, which aim to give options to the poor residents there to choose their sons' educational institutions. For details: Thomas Sowell's excellent book, recently published in Hebrew, "Why do they hate private schools?".

    And if the students there can finally read at an acceptable level, and master arithmetic beyond counting on ten fingers, maybe there will also be a place for proper scientific education.

    I so expect Trump to start cleaning out the stables there, along with JD Vance, Elon Musk, RP Kennedy, Tulsi Gabbard and all the rest.

  4. Excellent article, puts things in the right perspective. Trump's positions, even if you don't agree with them, seem less flashy and provocative than it is expressed in Vinet's headlines.

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