Senate, House Move on Weapons Labs;APS Statement on National Security and Science

The Senate is moving ahead on DOE weapons laboratory reorganization this week. During consideration yesterday of the FY 2000 intelligence authorization bill, Senate Republicans started the process toward a vote, scheduled for late today, on the (Senators) Domenici-Kyl-Murkowski amendment. This amendment would create a semi-autonomous Nuclear Security Administration having control of the weapons programs, within the Department of Energy.

Under this amendment, the director of this new agency could bypass the Secretary of Energy to report to the president and Congress on any national security lapses. Reports indicate that while Energy Secretary Bill Richardson has agreed in principle to this new agency, there is continuing disagreement over the proposal’s details.

Over on the House side, the full House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2000 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. This bill withholds $1 billion from DOE pending congressional restructuring of the DOE weapons program. The draft committee report accompanying the bill states:

“The Committee has watched while many have developed elaborate legislation to create a new semi-autonomous agency within the Department. But, the Committee does not believe this fully addresses the problems. This solution would not free the weapons programs from systemic problems. The same people staffing this new organization would be those who have created the problems over the past two decades.

“Starting with a fresh slate is the only chance for solving many of the problems. Eliminating the cumbersome and redundant field structure will lead to cost savings and management efficiencies. Creating an independent agency at the sub-Cabinet level will free the agency from political influence and encourage the appointment of technically qualified managers. Direct lines of responsibility and authority will be established. Those interested primarily in maintaining the status quo will be thwarted.”

Throughout the lengthy debate over the future of the national weapons laboratories, a recurring theme has been the interface between national security and science. In late May, the American Physical Society Council adopted the following “Statement on National Security and the Open Conduct of Science":

“The Council of the American Physical Society emphasizes the critical connection between U.S. national security and scientific research activities. Effective national security requires the highest standards of vigilance and circumspection, and the science on which it is based must meet the highest standard of excellence. However, national security will ultimately be damaged if the underlying science suffers as a result of government practices that indiscriminately discourage or limit the open exchange of ideas.

“The Council of the American Physical Society recognizes the great importance of protecting classified information. We urge Congress and the Executive agencies, in carrying out this responsibility, to employ measures and practices that will maintain the strength and effectiveness of the scientific activities on which national defense relies.

“Over the course of many years, immigrant scientists as well as foreign visitors and students have contributed enormously to the American scientific enterprise. They have enriched our knowledge and culture, promoted the growth of our economy, and improved the quality of our lives. Any negative characterization of scientists on the basis of ethnic or national origins is destructive to science and American values.”