Senate Bill Introduced to Double Federal Research Spending

New legislation introduced in the Senate finds that “an increased level of investment in basic scientific, medical, and pre-competitive engineering research by the Federal Government is essential to maintaining the position of the United States as the technological leader of the world,” and seeks to double federal research spending in these fields over the next ten years.

Senator Phil Gramm (R-Texas) introduced S. 1305, the National Research Investment Act of 1998, on October 22. Three original cosponsors joined him: Joseph Lieberman (D-Connecticut), Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), and Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico.) Under this bill, funding for basic non-defense scientific, medical, and pre-competitive engineering research could rise from an estimated $34 billion in FY 1999 to $68 billion by FY 2008.

This legislation is a refinement of a bill written by Gramm earlier this year (see FYI # 11 .) Four Republican senators cosponsored his first bill. The new legislation should attract more support by senators on both sides of the aisle. Having Senate Budget Committee Chairman Domenici as a cosponsor will be very helpful in attracting Members concerned about federal spending.

Gramm and Lieberman discussed their legislation at the October 22 press conference announcing the Unified Statement on Research (see FYI #127 .) S. 1305 is similar in many respects to the Unified Statement. Both seek to double federal research spending in ten years. The bill applies only to civilian research, which, Gramm and Lieberman contend, avoids potential political and legislative problems. Agencies and departments covered by S. 1305 are NIH, NSF, NIST, NASA, NOAA, CDC, DOE (“to the extent that the activities are not defense-related activities”), USDA, VA, Smithsonian Institution, Dept. of Education, and EPA. The bill sets authorization levels for ten years. Under each authorization, the bill specifies NIH’s levels, with other budgets splitting the remainder.

Authorization legislation such as S. 1305 does not provide actual funding. Rather, it sets guidelines and spending caps for appropriations bills.

Members of Congress introduce bills for a variety of reasons. Some, such as the thirteen appropriations bills, are “must pass.” Other bills are to effect policy change, or to garner publicity for their sponsor. Legislation can also serve as a rallying point -- a means to send a message to other Members and a president about the importance of a program or activity.

The four cosponsors of S. 1305 are sending a message about the role of the federal government in supporting research. This message becomes stronger as the list of cosponsors becomes longer. Members of Congress look to their constituents when determining what bills to cosponsor.