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HIGHLIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN WASHINGTON IMPACTING THE PHYSICS
COMMUNITY FROM FYI, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS BULLETIN OF
SCIENCE POLICY NEWS
Richard M. Jones, Audrey T. Leath
fyithismonth@aip.org
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SENDS "HISTORIC" S&T REQUEST TO
CONGRESS: White House Science Adviser Neal Lane called it "an
historic science and technology budget," which, if enacted, would
increase the 21st Century Research Fund by 7%, or close to $3
billion. In introducing the FY 2001 budget request he described
the importance of a balanced federal research portfolio and
promised close cooperation with Congress.
/fyi/2000/fyi00.013.htm
FY 2001 PHYSICS-RELATED BUDGET REQUESTS ARE MIXED:
Department of Energy: Basic Energy Sciences up 30%
(much of the increase for the Spallation Neutron Source), Nuclear
Physics up 4%, High Energy Physics up 2%, Fusion Energy Sciences
flat, Biological and Environmental Research up 3%
National Science Foundation: Physics up18%, Materials
Research up 15%, Astronomical Sciences up14%, Engineering up 20%,
Geosciences up 20%, Major Research Equipment up 48%, Polar
Programs up13%, Education and Human Resources up 5%
NASA: Space Science up 9%, Life & Microgravity up
10%, Earth Science down 3%, Human Space Flight up 1%
DOD: 6.1 down 5%, 6.2 down 8%, 6.3 down 17%
NIST: Measurement and Standards Laboratories up 20%,
Advanced Technology Program up 23%, Manufacturing Extension
Partnership up 10%
For further information on these budgets, see
http://www.aip.org/gov/budginfo.htm
CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE TO NSF AND NASA REQUESTS HAS BEEN FAVORABLE: Two House Science subcommittees held hearings on the FY 2001 requests. The National Science Foundation hearing was described as a "love-in" by one subcommittee member. Other subcommittee members were pleased that the NASA request is up for first time in seven years, but there continues to be concern about the space station. /fyi/2000/fyi00.027.htm
SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT DESCRIBES LINKAGES BETWEEN SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY: Albright said "there can be no question about the integral role science and technology must play in our diplomacy and more generally in world affairs." /fyi/2000/fyi00.028.htm
DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) DELORES ETTER CRITICIZES DOD S&T SPENDING: Addressing an NRC committee looking at defense spending, Etter was highly critical of past and projected cuts in spending. /fyi/2000/fyi00.012.htm