1996: The Year in Review

JANUARY: NSF, NASA, and NIST (among other federal agencies) start the year without assured long-term FY 1996 funding. Fusion Energy Advisory Committee submits program restructuring recommendations to DOE.

FEBRUARY: Amidst standoff on current year funding, Clinton Administration submits a “bare bones” FY 1997 budget request. General Accounting Office report on Advanced Technology Program does little to resolve controversy over utility of program.

MARCH: The restructured U.S. fusion program is the subject of a congressional hearing. In mid-month, Administration sends complete FY 1997 budget to Congress calling for 2% increase in over-all research funding.

APRIL: DOE, NSF, and CERN release statement on the status of LHC negotiations. A contentious House Science Committee completes work on major science authorization bill. At month’s end, Congress and the Administration resolve seven-month budget impasse, securing FY 1996 funding for NSF, NASA, and NIST (among others.)

MAY: Congressional hearings on NIST budget reveal varying levels of support. Congress takes first important steps on science agency budgets. NSTC issues report supportive of U.S. Antarctic Program. With much rancorous debate, House passes science authorization bill, which later dies upon adjournment in fall.

JUNE: GAO issues report finding DOE is achieving budget cuts. Differences over total size of FY 1997 DOE appropriation delays consideration by House. Sixty Nobelists send letter to President and Congress supportive of university-based research funding. House passes FY 1997 NSF and NASA appropriations bill.

JULY: Senate appropriators turn to FY 1997 funding bills. House completes work on NIST and DOE budget legislation. Renamed fusion advisory committee meets on restructured program. Full Senate passes DOE appropriations.

AUGUST: While Congress is on vacation, the Martian meteorite announcement is made. DOE announces planned review of national laboratories.

SEPTEMBER: A House science subcommittee hearing indicates no rush to increase NASA funding because of Martian meteorite. Congress passes FY 1997 DOE appropriation, providing most of administration’s request for high energy physics, nuclear physics, and basic energy sciences, while cutting more deeply into fusion energy. White House releases new space policy document and plans for space “summit” in early 1997. Congress clears NIST appropriation, providing 71% of total request (almost all of Scientific and Technical Research and Services budget, only 65% of ATP budget.) Also passed are NSF appropriation (98% of request) and NASA appropriation (99% of request.)

OCTOBER: Congress adjourns. Administration announces Next Generation Internet Initiative. Five new U.S. Nobelists hold press conference to express concern about federal research funding.

NOVEMBER: General elections held, with only one key science and technology seat lost (Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD)). Number of important retirements. Rep. Joseph McDade (R-PA) selected as new chair of House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) becomes new chair of House Science Committee.

DECEMBER: NSF requests comments on proposed changes to Merit Review Criteria. DOE announces plan to dispose of surplus plutonium and highly enriched uranium. President Clinton completes his new cabinet selections, picking William Daley as Commerce Secretary and outgoing Department of Transportation Secretary Frederico Pena to head the Energy Department.