FYI THIS MONTH: OCTOBER 2005
HIGHLIGHTS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN WASHINGTON IMPACTING THE PHYSICS COMMUNITY FROM FYI, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS BULLETIN OF SCIENCE POLICY NEWS
Audrey T. Leath, Richard M. Jones
fyithismonth@aip.org
AIP SCIENCE FELLOWSHIPS: The application deadline has passed for the AIP State Department Fellowship, but applications are now being accepted for the AIP and American Physical Society Congressional Fellowships. The AIP program was established in 1988, and gives physicists an opportunity to spend a year on Capitol Hill. Applications must be completed by January 15, 2006. For further information see http://www.aip.org/gov/cf.html.

CLIMATE CHANGE: There was wide disagreement at a Senate hearing about whether the earth's climate is warming, and the extent to which human activity is responsible for any warming. The Administration sought public comment on an S&T strategic report to reduce greenhouse gases.

EVOLUTION: The first court case challenging the constitutionality of teaching Intelligent Design in public school science classes is underway in Pennsylvania.

HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS: Congress approved a 35.7% increase in the Department of Homeland Security's Research, Development, Acquisition, and Operations budget for FY 2006.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT S&T APPROPRIATION: While senators approved an amendment to increase funding for defense basic research and a new civilian education program, overall funding for DOD's S&T programs would fall 6.6% in FY 2006.

TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS: the House passed a bill authorizing most programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The bill's sponsors, however, did not include the controversial Advanced Technology Program because of fear that the legislation would not be signed into law.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION: NSF released its first Facility Plan describing ongoing projects, proposed new starts in FY 2007 and 2008, and projects under exploration.

'BUNKER BUSTER" WEAPON: House and Senate negotiators eliminated funding for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator in the FY 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.