Science Policy and Budget Developments
PRESIDENT SIGNS NSF, NASA FUNDING BILL: Yesterday afternoon, President Clinton signed the FY 2000 VA, HUD, Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill. NSF’s budget increases 6.5%; NASA took a $12 million cut, but received more than what was requested. NSF Director Rita Colwell and NASA Administrator Dan Goldin attended the signing ceremony. At this ceremony, Clinton remarked, “This bill also looks to the future. It gives NASA the resources it needs to probe the mysteries of space, and provides the National Science Foundation with the extra resources it needs to fund research on the frontiers of information technology. This is a little-noticed, I think, but profoundly important part of this bill, which I predict will have a big impact on our future for years and years to come.” In a written statement, Clinton said, “If we want to maintain our current economic prosperity, it is essential that we sustain our investment in long-term research across all the scientific and engineering disciplines.”
NSF RESEARCH IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Contrary to the statement in FYI #149 regarding IT/2/, the final NSF appropriations bill provides $105 million for Information Technology Research (ITR). ITR is the new name for IT/2/. Conferees provided $90 million above last year’s budget for the Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering Directorate.
FY 2000 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY APPROPRIATIONS: This was one of the first appropriations bills the President signed. Many of DOE’s physics-related programs saw increases. In signing the bill, Clinton said, “I am disappointed that the Congress has not included full funding for my request for the Spallation Neutron Source . . . . " The bill provides a little more than half of the $214.0 million requested for the SNS.
FY 2000 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS: Congress is finished with this bill that is quite positive for DOD’s 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 R&D programs. However, the President is still deciding whether to sign this bill. A final summary will be provided when the situation becomes clearer.
FY 2000 COMMERCE APPROPRIATIONS: Yesterday, the House and Senate sent this bill to the President. Clinton is unhappy with this bill, and there is a very good chance he will veto it. A final summary on the NIST appropriations will be provided when the bill is signed. As it now stands, the Advanced Technology Program would take a 28% hit. Scientific and Technical Research & Services would get a slight increase over last year.
FY 2000 APPROPRIATIONS NONE OF THIS IS FINAL: A way still has to be found to balance the FY 2000 books. Creative bookkeeping, tobacco taxes, surplus-tapping, and spending unused money are all alternatives, and they all raise problems. One proposal being discussed is an across-the-board cut in all FY 2000 appropriations, including those that have been signed. There are so many factors that have to be determined that it is impossible to calculate what such a cut might mean -- numbers range from a low of 1% to 14%.
LETTERS IN SUPPORT OF SCIENCE: Seventy-five Republican and Democratic representatives joined Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI) in sending a letter to House Appropriations Chairman C. W. Bill Young (R-FL) and Ranking Minority Member David Obey (D-WI) late last month stating “we strongly urge an increase in funding for basic scientific research in the fiscal year 2000 budget.” Earlier this month, twenty-three Democratic senators wrote to President Clinton, saying, “We ask that you seriously consider the implications of R&D cutbacks today on the long-term technological demands of the future as you negotiate final FY 2000 budget agreements. We also ask that you make increased science and technology funding a clear and explicit priority as you prepare your budget for FY 2001.”Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) spearheaded this letter.
MOVING-ON: Late last month, Martha Krebs, Director of DOE’s Office of Science, announced that she will be leaving in early December. Krebs has held this position for more than six years, the longest time that an individual has ever served as director. Energy Secretary Richardson said “Her expertise, energy, vision, professionalism, and her leadership will sorely be missed.”National Institutes of Health Director Harold Varmus will be leaving his position at the end of the year.
DOUBLING R&D FUNDING: In an October 18 Op-Ed in the Washington Post, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich declared, “The highest investment priority in Washington should be to double the federal budget for scientific research.” The entire column can be viewed at www.washingtonpost.com . Select Opinion; Search the Editorial Archives under Author; Gingrich.
