(This legislative update has been assembled by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and edited by the UH Office of University Relations as a service to the UH System community.)
Each year, before beginning the federal appropriations process, the U.S. House and Senate develop a "budget resolution" which provides a framework for federal funding decisions. The budget resolution functions as a guideline, with final funding decisions made later (summer and fall) during the appropriations process.
The House of Representatives passed its version of the budget resolution last week, in line with the Pres. Bush's priorities which were outlined in his budget "blueprint" released more than a month ago. The House resolution provided the Administration's increase of $2.8 billion (13.8%) over the FY 2001 funding level for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but did nothing to address concerns about FY 2002 funding for other science agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, and the Department of Energy's Office of Science.
The Senate (evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats) debated its version of the budget resolution this week, breaking ranks with the President by passing amendments to increase spending and reduce the President's tax cut proposal.
Two amendments were passed that are of importance to the scientific community.
The first, adopted on Wednesday with an overwhelming vote of 96 to 4, was introduced by Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA). This amendment would enable NIH to receive an increase of $3.4 billion (16.5%) over the FY 2001 funding level. Such an increase would provide a total of $23.7 billion for NIH in FY 2002.
The second amendment, introduced by Sens. Kit Bond (R-MO) and Barbara Mikulski (D- MD) and adopted by voice vote last night in the Senate, would allow for substantial increases above the FY 2001 level for NSF, NASA and DOE Office of Science Programs. The amendment sets guidelines for increases of $674 million (an increase of 15.3%) above last year's level for NSF; $518 million above last year's level for NASA; and $469 million over last year's level for DOE programs.
It is important to note, again, that these are only budgetary guidelines. The final appropriations for each agency will not be decided until later this year.
The Senate is expected to conclude its work on the budget resolution by today (April 6) before adjourning for a two-week recess. In addition, Pres. Bush will release a more detailed version of his budget request on Monday, April 9. We will issue a report on the budget request early next week.