Appropriations Update: FY2009 budget moves forward, NSF may get boost for FY2008

Both houses of Congress approved a budget for fiscal year 2009 on March 13, completing the second step in the annual appropriations cycle that begins in February with the release of the President’s proposed budget. The two houses also considered provisions that would prevent the inclusion of earmarks in this year’s budget. Earmarks are the controversial, yet common, set-asides included in federal appropriations bills for specific projects (such as scientific research at academic institutions) not requested by the federal agencies themselves. In the end, neither house included a ban on earmarks in their budget resolution, despite the backing of all three candidates for U.S. President (Sens. McCain, Obama and Clinton). House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) would not rule out pulling earmarks later in the appropriations process, but said, “Hopefully the conduct of our legislative business as Congress works its will, will be such that we can have some legislative discretion exercised in those bills.”

The House included a statement of support for the competitiveness initiative in its version of the budget resolution (H Con Res 312): “The House should provide sufficient funding so that our nation may continue to be the world leader in education, innovation, and economic growth.” While there was strong congressional support for the competitiveness initiative – which includes a ten-year doubling of funds for the National Science Foundation – last year, much of the promised increase was scratched at the last minute for FY2008. Senator John Kerry (D-MA), who chairs the Senate Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee, expressed disappointment regarding the funding levels appropriated for science in FY 2008 during a subcommittee hearing on the FY2009 budget. Kerry mentioned the possibility of including additional funding for NSF in the supplemental appropriations bill.

While funding for NSF in the supplemental appropriations is considered a long shot by most policy observers, it is one step closer to reality. In early May, the Senate Appropriations Committee released information regarding its version of the supplemental appropriations bill. Included in that bill is a $1.2 billion “Science Initiative” to boost funding at the NSF, NASA, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy. If the provision is approved, it would amount to an additional $200 million for NSF. A long-time supporter of NSF, chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) worked to include the additional funds for NSF. The funding will include $150 million for NSF to support approximately 500 additional research grants and $50 million to increase NSF scholarship funding. Regarding the necessity of the boost for NSF, chairwoman Mikulski said, “I want America to win the Nobel prizes and the markets. The America COMPETES Act helped set the framework, and this funding puts money in the federal checkbook to make it a reality.”

The likelihood of approval of those funds is uncertain, however, as the total cost of the supplemental is a staggering $250 billion. ASLO will continue to monitor the appropriations process and report in future editions of the Aquatic Science Policy Reports.

Source: ASLO Aquatic Science Policy Report: March and April 2008

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