Last week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) postponed the Senate's
scheduled consideration of H.R. 2862, the FY 2006 Departments of Commerce
and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The
House and Senate are both responding to the devastation along the Gulf
Coast, throwing this month's tight schedule for a number of important
bills into disarray. The Senate will be considering H.R. 2862 today
and into this week. The House passed its version of this bill almost
three months ago.
From time-to-time, the Office of Management and Budget sends to Capitol
Hill a formal position on pending legislation. Known as a "Statement
of Administration Policy," these documents outline areas of agreement
and disagreement. OMB has issued around 50 such statements this year.
On September 8, OMB sent a Statement of Administration Policy to Senate
Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Ranking Member
Robert Byrd (D-WV). This statement was far more critical of the Senate's
bill than a similar statement on June 14 for the House version of the
bill. It is unlikely that the new statement will result in changes in
the Senate bill being considered this week, but it does lay down some
markers as to what the Administration will be working toward in the
final conference bill.
The following are excerpts from the OMB statements commenting on both
versions of H.R. 2862:
NASA - SENATE VERSION:
"The Administration appreciates the Committee's strong support
for the President's priorities by fully funding the original request
for Constellation Systems including the Crew Exploration Vehicle, as
well as the request for the Space Shuttle and the International Space
Station (ISS). The Administration seeks modification of the bill consistent
with the President's FY 2006 budget amendment, which identified additional
resources within Exploration Systems for the Crew Exploration Vehicle
and Crew Launch Vehicle and reallocates funding within the Science Directorate
to focus resources on near-term requirements, including the option for
a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission with the Shuttle. The Administration
strongly objects to the elimination of funding for key priorities, including
the Space Station Cargo/Crew Services and Centennial Challenges programs,
and urges the Senate to shift funding from lower-priority programs in
the bill to restore the Administration's request.
"The Administration also strongly objects to a total of nearly
$600 million in earmarked funding for unrequested activities, including
$220 million above the President's request for a possible Hubble servicing
mission, which would significantly reduce the resources needed for critical
ongoing and planned science and technology efforts. The Administration
also urges the Senate to include requested flexibility in the bill for
the transfer of funds, which may be necessary for important program
adjustments."
NASA - HOUSE VERSION:
"The Administration appreciates the Committee's strong support
for NASA, demonstrated by its fully funding the President's Vision for
Space Exploration and endorsing the agency's efforts to restructure
Project Prometheus. The Administration supports the Committee's call
for the development of a national aeronautics policy. Additionally,
the Committee is commended for limiting the number of Congressional
interest items that would, if implemented divert necessary resources
for ongoing and planned science and technology efforts, and for once
again providing the necessary flexibility to transfer funding as necessary
for important program adjustments."
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY - SENATE VERSION:
"The Administration urges the Senate to base its science and technology
funding on national needs and competitive merit, especially by including
the requested increases within the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) labs for nanotechnology research and other priority
foundational innovation research. However, the bill provides significant
unrequested NIST funding for unrelated, non-competitive construction
earmarks totaling $115 million.
"The Administration is disappointed that the bill adopts none
of the proposed terminations and reductions of programs that duplicate
or overlap other efforts, have weak performance measures, show few demonstrated
results, or do not fulfill essential priorities. The Administration
is also concerned that the bill reinstates funding for programs that
were terminated last year or are on a path toward termination. For example,
the bill provides unrequested funding for the Advanced Technology Program
and requires that $60 million be devoted to new awards in FY 2006, which
creates expectations for continuing awards in FY 2007 and beyond. The
2005 appropriations act had no new awards and was on a path that would
justifiably facilitate a phase out. Given the growth of venture capital
and other sources of funding for quality high-tech projects, the Administration
believes this program is an inappropriate use of Federal funds and strongly
objects to the ATP's continuation."
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY - HOUSE VERSION:
"The Administration strongly supports the Committee's action to
terminate, as requested, the Advanced Technology Program . . . . "
"The Administration strongly urges the House to fully fund the
President's research request for key measurement and innovation initiatives
and laboratory renovation work within the National Institute of Standards
and Technology."
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION - SENATE VERSION:
"The Administration shares the priority the Senate Committee affords
basic research and fundamental science and education at NSF, but is
concerned that the bill does not fully support the President's request.
The Committee has identified areas, such as facilities oversight, that
need increased investment to maintain NSF's efficient operations, and
yet does not provide the full request for salaries and expenses that
would allow NSF to continue to perform to high standards.
"The Administration appreciates the Committee's support for the
transfer of $48 million from the Coast Guard to NSF for polar icebreaking
services. The Administration requests, however, that the bill not limit
total funding for these services to $58 million."
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION - HOUSE VERSION:
"The Administration appreciates the Committee's strong support
for NSF. The Administration also appreciates the Committee's endorsement
of the President's proposal to shift funding for polar icebreaking to
NSF, and looks forward to working with the Committee to ensure that
the Nation's icebreaking capabilities will support NSF's mission and
other national needs."
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