The Year in Review
This was a notable year for science in Washington. Some of the key events of 1997 follow:
JANUARY: President Clinton nominates Federico Pena to be the new Secretary of Energy. Although having little energy experience, Pena comes to the position from the Department of Transportation with the reputation as a strong manager. On Capitol Hill, Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) introduces a bill to authorize the doubling of federal non-defense R&D spending over the next ten years.
FEBRUARY: President Clinton sends his FY 1998 budget request to Congress; R&D funding would rise 2%. Describing the budget, OSTP Director John Gibbons declares, “The American public and the vast majority in Congress support a strong federal research program.” New House Science Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) signals a return to a more bipartisan climate in his committee.
MARCH: AIP and five of its Member Societies join 17 other scientific and engineering associations in issuing a call for a 7% increase in civilian and defense research spending. House Science Committee hearing on DOE Office of Energy Research budget finds Members interested in LHC, ITER, and the National Spallation Neutron Source. Pena is confirmed as DOE Secretary. Science Committee hears testimony from Norman Augustine on U.S. Antarctic Program facilities. House Appropriations subcommittee chairman declares intent to “zero out” Commerce Department’s Advanced Technology Program (ATP).
APRIL: Sensenbrenner issues strong warning on Russian participation in space station program. Science Committee completes passage of ten authorization bills with little controversy. Sensenbrenner makes public comments about what he sees as shortcomings in proposed LHC agreement.
MAY: Key senators express support for NASA, NSF, and NIST budget requests. Sensenbrenner declares himself “extremely pleased with the results of the negotiations” over LHC. President Clinton makes speech on science and values. Pena terminates management contract for Brookhaven National Laboratory.
JUNE: AIP, five of its Member Societies, and 41 other organizations endorse Intersociety Statement on the Eisenhower Professional Development Program (U.S. Dept. of Education.) Addressing PCAST, OMB Director Franklin Raines predicts that the recently struck budget deal will require real funding declines in about one-half of all discretionary programs by 2002. DOE seeks public and scientific input on the future of Brookhaven’s High Flux Beam Reactor. CERN Council approves a revised agreement with the United States.
JULY: House and Senate appropriators pass bills with promising science budgets for NASA, NSF, and DOE. House appropriators make drastic reductions in President’s request for DOD’s basic research funding. Proposed NIST appropriations are mixed. DOE announces supercomputer partnerships with five universities, with Pena stating that the $250 million initiative would create “a revolution in how science is conducted in the U.S.”
AUGUST: President signs tax reform bill with provisions that are largely favorable to academic and research interests.
SEPTEMBER: Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R-NY) introduces a bill prohibiting reactivation of Brookhaven’s High Flux Beam Reactor. Science Committee holds hearing on Russian Mir and space station program. Congressional appropriators keep DOD basic research funding flat for the next fiscal year. Two unsuccessful attempts are made to terminate ATP program on the House floor. DOE physics programs receive FY 1998 appropriations equal to, or above, current year funding and/or the Administration’s request, providing full requests for LHC, National Spallation Neutron Source, and National Ignition Facility. Congress votes to keep Brookhaven reactor closed for the upcoming fiscal year.
OCTOBER: Favorable outcomes for NASA and NSF FY 1998 appropriations. AIP, eight of its Member Societies, and eight of its Affiliated Societies join 97 other organizations in issuing a Unified Statement on Research calling for a doubling of civilian and defense research funding by 2009. Four Republican and Democratic senators introduce S. 1305, authorizing doubling of civilian research funding over ten years. House Speaker Gingrich (R-GA) calls increased science spending a priority.
NOVEMBER: Congress retains targeted funds for Eisenhower Professional Development Program. The Commerce bill is the last of thirteen appropriations bills to be passed, retaining ATP program. A letter signed by 201 representatives is sent to Speaker Newt Gingrich asking for his help in ensuring stronger NASA budgets. DOE announces new management for Brookhaven National Laboratory.
DECEMBER: U.S. and CERN sign LHC agreement; U.S. to provide $531 million in services and goods in coming years. NSF Director Neal Lane describes action as “a quantum leap forward for international cooperation in science and technology.” Four senators send letter to President Clinton asking him to use the FY 1999 budget “to establish a bipartisan national consensus on doubling non-defense federal R&D over the next ten years.” President Clinton declares in speech that “Half our economic growth in the last half-century has come from technological innovation and the science that supports it.”
