The President on R&D

Efforts to increase the federal government’s investment in science and technology became prominent this year. During 1997, scientific societies twice joined in issuing calls to boost future federal R&D spending. This spring, Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) sponsored legislation to double civilian research spending, an action he repeated this fall with three other Democratic and Republican senators. In all instances, the importance of R&D, underpinned by federal spending, in strengthening the U.S. economy was stressed.

A speech by President Clinton last week provides a good indication of his thinking on R&D. The occasion was a ceremony honoring the fourteen recipients of the 1997 National Medals of Science and Technology.

The President’s 862 word speech was not long, but made several key points. The significance of this speech is not that it raised new ideas -- in fact, they are familiar concepts. Rather, the significance is because these words were the President’s.

Several times, the President cited the relationship between R&D and the nation’s economy:

“This morning I want to talk about the force of scientific and technological innovation. It is helping to fuel and shape that new economy, but its impact goes beyond it.”

“These investments have surely paid off -- in higher paying jobs, better health care, stronger national security, and improved quality of life for all Americans. They are essential to our efforts to address global climate change.... They are critical to America’s ability to maintain our leadership in cutting-edge industries that will power the global economy of the new century.”

And in a statement that many will cite during FY 1999 budget deliberations, the President declared:

“Half our economic growth in the last half-century has come from technological innovation and the science that supports it.”

In addition to making the case for the importance of R&D to the nation’s economy, Clinton discussed the role of the federal government:

“But technological innovation also depends upon government support in research and development.” He cited the Internet and research in the human genetic system, and then stated, “These ground-breaking innovations could not have happened without dedication, downright genius, and government investment.”

Perhaps as a response to calls for the Administration to increase R&D spending, the President said:

“For five years in a row, I have increased our investments in science and technology while bringing down the deficit, often in the face of opposition.”

There was less talk this year about cuts in science spending. However, in his speech awarding science and technology medals in 1995, Clinton criticized a “plan now being considered by the Congress [that] will cut vital research and development by a third....” Federal R&D spending has generally increased - somewhat - under Clinton if you ignore inflation.

But what about next year’s budget request? This is what the President said about future science spending last week:

“The discoveries of tomorrow will be made possible by the scientists of today, and by our continued commitment to their passionate quest.”

Left undefined was what the President meant when he spoke of “continued commitment.” It will become defined on February 2, with the release of his Fiscal Year 1999 budget request.