Congressional Committees with Jurisdiction over R&D, Education
Members of Congress have tremendous power over the conduct and support of the nation’s research enterprise, through appropriating the funds, authorizing programs, and carrying out oversight activities. Yet the policymakers on Capitol Hill often get little input from their constituents about science policy or budgets. Those Members with probably the biggest impact on science programs are the appropriators. They are responsible for writing the bills that provide funding for federal departments and agencies. There are 13 appropriations subcommittees in each chamber of Congress. Within the jurisdiction of these subcommittees, R&D agencies often have to compete for funding with other priorities, such as veterans’ and housing programs.
Authorization bills provide funding caps or guidelines for federal programs. In theory, authorizing legislation is supposed to provide guidance for appropriators. In reality, appropriators do not always heed the authorizers, and authorization bills are often not passed in a timely manner, if at all. However, authorization bills, even in draft form, still can have an influence on funding for a project or agency.
There are several major appropriations and authorization committees or subcommittees in each chamber that have jurisdiction over most federal programs tracked by FYI. To get information on committee chairs, rosters, hearing schedules and legislation, or to determine if your representative or senators sit on a certain committee, please see the (sub)committee web sites below. To find the name of your representative, see http://www.house.gov/ .
(Please be aware that many of the URLs run more than one line.)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3:
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
House Armed Services Committee
Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION:
House Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee
House Science Subcommittee on Research
Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
NASA:
House Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee
House Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY:
House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee
House Science Subcommittee on Energy
Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
FOR AUTHORIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY’S NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION:
House Armed Services Committee
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
NIST:
House Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee:
House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards
Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
House Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
House Education and the Workforce Committee
Senate Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY R&D:
House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee
