Members of Congress make numerous decisions impacting the funding and
conduct of federal R&D, yet they often get little input from their
constituents about science policy or budgets. Those Members with probably
the biggest impact on science programs are the appropriators. There
are 13 appropriations subcommittees in each chamber of Congress. Within
those subcommittees, R&D agencies often have to compete for funding
with other priorities, such as veterans' and housing programs.
Authorization bills provide funding caps or guidelines for federal
programs. While in theory, appropriators are supposed to be guided by
authorizing legislation when determining federal funding, in reality
they do not necessarily heed the authorizers, and many authorization
bills never make it into law. However, authorization bills, if they
are timely, can often influence funding for a project or agency.
There are several major appropriations and authorization committees
or subcommittees in each chamber that have jurisdiction over most federal
programs tracked by FYI. To get information on committee chairs, rosters,
hearing schedules and legislation, or to determine if your representative
or senators sit on a certain committee, please see the (sub)committee
web sites below.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3:
House Defense
Appropriations Subcommittee
House Armed Services Committee
Senate
Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate
Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION:
House VA/HUD/Independent
Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee
House
Science Subcommittee on Research
Senate
VA/HUD/Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate
Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
NASA:
House VA/HUD/Independent
Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee
House
Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
Senate
VA/HUD/Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate
Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY:
House Energy and
Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee
House
Science Subcommittee on Energy
Senate
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Energy and Natural
Resources
NIST:
House Commerce,
Justice, State Appropriations Subcommittee
House
Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology & Standards
Senate
Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate
Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
House Labor,
HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
House Education and the Workforce
Committee
Senate
Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions Committee
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