Perhaps one of the most important physics-related research bills
that the new Congress will consider has been introduced in the
House by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL). H.R. 34, the "Energy and
Science Research Investment Act of 2003" would authorize an
overall increase in funding for the Department of Energy's Office
of Science of almost 62% by FY 2007. It is now important to
build support for H.R. 34 as Congress drafts the massive energy
policy bill.
When adjusted for inflation, federal dollars for DOE's Office of
Science have remained at the1990 level. During this time, the
budget for the National Institutes of Health has increased
markedly, with the Defense Department's S&T budget increasing as
well during later years. The National Science Foundation's
annual appropriations have also increased at a healthy rate, and
an authorization bill was recently signed into law calling for an
eventual doubling of the foundation's budget over the next five
years. The DOE Office of Science (SC) budget has stagnated
during these years.
In the last Congress, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) successfully
included a provision in the Senate's version of the comprehensive
energy bill to authorize substantial increases in the SC budget.
An earlier House-passed version of the energy bill lacked such
language. As the House and Senate moved to resolve differences
between the two versions, Biggert sponsored a bill to demonstrate
Member support for the Office of Science to the House leadership.
Her efforts were successful since last year's bill, H.R. 5270,
was cosponsored by 96 Republican and Democratic members.
When Congress adjourns, all bills that have not been enacted die.
Legislation must be reintroduced, and the process starts anew.
That is what has now happened with Biggert's legislation, now
known as H.R. 34 in this new Congress.
Biggert's bill calls for an increase of approximately 8% for FY
2004 (the budget that the President will send to Congress next
month.) That would be followed by increases of 11%, 15%, and 15%
in the subsequent three years. The FY 2007 authorization level
would be $5.31 billion, compared to the current budget (FY 2002)
of $3.28 billion. This is an increase of $2.03 billion, or
61.9%.
H.R. 34 makes important administrative changes as well. An Under
Secretary of Energy Research and Science would be created, with
authority over all DOE-funded civilian science at the non weapons
national laboratories and research universities. A new Assistant
Secretary of Science would replace the current SC "director"
position. Finally, a Science Advisory Board would be established
consisting of the chairs of DOE's advisory panels.
Before going home last December, significant progress was made by
House and Senate conferees on the SC portions of the
comprehensive energy bill. The compromise language contained
solid authorization numbers. The much larger bill failed due to
disagreements about other provisions relating to drilling in the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, climate change, electricity
market restructuring, and renewable energy. Action is expected
on this legislation in this new Congress, although these same
issues remain highly controversial.
Members of the House will return to find their mailboxes stuffed
with letters from their colleagues and constituents asking for
Member support of various bills. Identifying what bills are
important to constituents is often determined by the amount of
mail and other expressions of support Members of Congress receive
from these constituents. The House of Representatives maintains
a very easy-to-use web site that facilities such communication at
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
H.R. 34 now has 43 cosponsors. That number must grow
substantially for the provisions of this legislation to receive
the attention of the House leadership.
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