On the Edge: Proposal to Eliminate Office of Technology Assessment

There are strong indications that the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) may be eliminated. Senator Connie Mack (R-Florida), chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, said he intends to terminate funding in FY 1996 for this congressional agency.

OTA is a nonpartisan analytical support agency which has served Congress since the early 1970s. Its FY 1995 budget is $21.97 million, with 190 employees. OTA produces around 50 publications every year, as well as testifying frequently before Congress. OTA is overseen by a governing board of six representatives and six senators, with equal representation by each party.

Various reasons are given for the elimination of OTA. Congressional leaders want to cut $200 million from the $2.4 billion legislative budget. Some observers contend OTA’s work could be performed by other congressional support agencies, such as the Congressional Research Service or the General Accounting Office. Other motives are suggested: a February 13 article by Congressional Quarterly said OTA appeared to be “the sacrificial lamb of the legislative branch.” Rep. Amo Houghton (R-New York), a strong supporter of OTA and long-time member of the OTA Board, cited what he characterized as a “popular reason” in congressional testimony last month: “we are in a `scorch and burn’ mode. We can no longer afford OTA.”

House Science Committee Chairman Robert Walker (R-Pennsylvania) commented on this issue on March 8: “I think the Office of Technology Assessment is in real trouble with the Appropriations Committees. I mean, it started in the Senate, when the Senate made it pretty clear that they were not for it. And my understanding, from talking to the appropriators, is that it probably will not survive the next cut, in terms of being reformulated for next year.” Walker said OTA has “done a pretty decent job in some areas, in long-term studies.” He was critical of the long time it takes for reports to be completed, something which OTA is addressing.

The House Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ron Packard (R-California), has had its appropriations hearing on OTA, as well as an earlier joint hearing with its Senate counterpart. Senate Chairman Mack will probably hold an appropriations hearing on the OTA budget in May.

In addition to Mack and Packard, Rep. Bob Livingston (R-Louisiana) and Senator Mark Hatfield (R-Oregon), the chairmen of the full appropriations committees, will have a major say in OTA’s future. Only Mack’s position is known; the other members have not publicly stated their views. In all likelihood, they will be influenced by their House and Senate colleagues, who respond to the views of their constituents. Describing the outlook, the above cited Congressional Quarterly article stated, “OTA has no large, protective constituency, so it’s an easy kill.”