Recent Science Policy Developments
PRESIDENT CLINTON ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: The President’s January 10 Radio Address focused on science and technology, with particular attention to human cloning. On the broader issue of federal support for science he stated: “For five years I have maintained our nation’s solid commitment to scientific research and technological development, because I believe they’re essential to our nation’s economic growth and to building the right kind of bridge to the 21st century. The balanced budget I will submit in just a few weeks to Congress reflects that continued commitment. And, in my upcoming State of the Union address, I’ll talk more about what we’re doing to keep America on the cutting edge of the scientific and technological advancements that are driving our new global economy.”The mention of an issue in a State of the Union address is a plus at the start of the budge cycle. You can find the full text of the speech at http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/html/1998-01-10.html
FUTURE NASA BUDGETS: Congressional Quarterly reported yesterday that because of a letter sent to House Speaker Gingrich last fall by 201 representatives (see 1997 FYI #141 ), and another letter sent to President Clinton in December signed by Gingrich and more than 200 representatives, a once projected $1 billion cut in NASA’s FY 1999 budget has been reduced. The major force behind the first letter, Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL), has been told that cuts are more likely to be $200 - $300 million. The officers of seven large aerospace companies addressed another letter to Clinton. NASA’s 1998 appropriation is $13,648 million.
APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN LIVINGSTON ON SPENDING INCREASES, ATP: House Appropriations Chairman Bob Livingston (R-LA) said yesterday that Congress should resist FY 1999 spending increases that violate last year’s over-all budget agreement. He called - as he has in previous years - for the elimination of the Advanced Technology Program.
HOUSE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE: Joseph McDade (R-PA), the new chairman of this subcommittee, will retire at the end of this year. The 66-year-old congressman has represented his district since 1962, and is leaving to spend more time with his family and “to retire in good health on good terms for good reasons.” This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the budget for DOE’s general science program. Next in seniority is Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY), who now heads the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Commerce Department, followed by Joseph Knollenberg (R-Michigan).
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY: Last week, Brookhaven Science Associates and the U.S. Department of Energy signed a five-year, $2 billion contract for the management and operation of Brookhaven National Laboratory. DOE notes that “BSA is led by the Research Foundation of the State University of New York on behalf of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Battelle Memorial Research Institute of Columbus, Ohio.”
NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF NSF: President Clinton has nominated Rita R. Colwell to be the Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation. Colwell is the President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute and a Professor of Microbiology at the University Maryland. She is a former member of the National Science Board.
