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House Science Committee Majority Releases R&D Budget Analysis
The majority members of the House Science Committee released an analysis of the President's R&D budget request. Overall, the report recognizes the real increase in non-defense R&D spending; however, it is critical of the increase being funded by uncertain tax increases. Some of the major conclusions from the report are:
The report finds that except for FY1999, real spending for total R&D investments is less than FY1998 levels in all other years (FY2000-2003). In terms of actual dollars, spending increases significantly in FY1999 and then dips before recovering in FY2002.
In terms of real dollars, there is an increase every year in non-defense R&D. However, there is a decrease in real dollars every year in defense R&D. It is projected that for the first time non-defense R&D will surpass defense R&D by FY2001.
After FY1999, the majority of R&D programs lose real dollars through FY2003. Except for the programs that have been determined by the Administration as "key civilian research" (i.e., NIH, NSF, and NIST) which receive increases in funding, most other programs will be cut. These programs include all other health programs, veteran's health care and hospitals, the environment, agriculture and space research.
Finally, the report states that the President proposes to pay for the Research Fund for America with unspecified reductions in other discretionary spending, with uncertain tax increases and uncollected money from the proposed tobacco settlement.
House Science Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) echoed these concerns in a recent speech, where he declared a long-term science policy must be in place before large increases in federal R&D spending can occur. Noting the tightness of spending caps, he stated that any large increases will be difficult, and would come at the expense of other programs. He was critical of the Administration's R&D request because it exceeds spending caps, is financed with new taxes and fees, and relies on a tobacco settlement that he believes is in trouble.
The Republican's report can be viewed on the web at www.house.gov/science/ budgetreview_02-26.htm.