1995: The Year in Review
JANUARY: Republicans assume leadership roles in the new Congress. House Science Committee gets off to a fast start. First hearings held on abolishment of Department of Energy.
FEBRUARY: Galvin Task Force issues report on alternative futures for DOE national laboratories recommending management changes and privatization of labs. Clinton Administration submits budget request. House science subcommittee hearing on fusion signals considerable uncertainty about program.
MARCH: House and Senate hearings held on Advanced Technology Program (ATP); cuts foreseen. Congress holds hearings on Galvin Report; recommended changes in management receive general approval, but not privatization plan. Republican moves to abolish US Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) gather strength. Presidential’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) holds second meeting, issuing statement in support of R&D spending.
APRIL: NASA receives praise for downsizing efforts at Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing. Foster Task Force releases report on NASA laboratories calling for a leaner organization. White House issues “Science and Technology, a Report of the President.” NSF releases strategic plan. MAY: Senate Republicans advance balanced budget blueprint calling for elimination of Department of Commerce and OTA and cuts in NASA and DOE future budgets, and smaller growth in NSF. NASA unveils a “Zero-Based Review” recommending significant cuts in staffing.
JUNE: House Science Committee marks up authorization bills for DOE, NIST, NSF and other science agencies and space station. Yergin Task Force on DOE Energy R&D programs released. American Association for the Advancement of Science projects declines in various science budgets from balanced budget resolution.
JULY: House Science Committee holds hearing on Department of Science proposal. PCAST issues report on fusion program. Movement continues on various appropriations bills. House and Senate conferees agree to eliminate the Office of Technology Assessment. Full House votes to continue space station funding.
AUGUST: Administration intensifies efforts to save technology programs. Congress in recess.
SEPTEMBER: House Science Committee holds extensive hearing on DOE national laboratories. American Physical Society organizes effort to preserve NIST laboratories. Science Committee hearing on CFC phaseout. President issues statement in support of all three nuclear weapons laboratories. Congress passes six week bill assuring continued funding for federal agencies in new fiscal year.
OCTOBER: FY 1996 starts. House passes Omnibus Civilian Science Authorization Act, defeating amendments to cut national laboratories. PCAST issues warning about reductions in federal R&D funding. Advisory committee releases report on human radiation experiments. President speaks out against congressional cuts in science and technology funding.
NOVEMBER: President signs FY 1996 DOE appropriations bill. Short term funding is renewed for NSF, NASA, and Commerce Department (and other departments/agencies.) House science subcommittee holds hearing on global warming.
DECEMBER: NSF, NASA, Commerce Department (and other agencies) closed due to lack of signed appropriations bills. Congress zeroes out funding for ATP Program in FY 1996 appropriations bill. National Academy of Science and National Academy of Engineering release report on federal S&T budget planning. House Science Committee Chairman Walker announces his retirement at end of 1996.
