Skip to primary navigation Skip to content
Learn More About the CHIPS and Science Act
report a concern
March 25, 2004

Democratic, Republican Budget Resolutions Treat R&D Very Differently

Today, the House of Representatives passed a blueprint for the Federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2005) and beyond.  The Republican budget (H. Con. Res. 393, introduced by Rep. Jim Nussle) passed the House by a vote of 215-212, while the Democratic budget, offered by Rep. John Spratt, was defeated 194-232.  The Nussle and Spratt plans have very different allocations for all domestic discretionary programs, including research and development (R&D) programs.

Function 250 (General Science, Space, and Technology) of the Federal budget includes funding for NASA's space activities, the National Science Foundation, some Department of Energy basic science programs, and some Department of Homeland Security R&D programs.  The Republican budget allocates $23.388 billion for these activities in FY 2005 compared to a total of $23.8 billion in the Democratic amendment.  Over the five-year period of FY 2005-2009, the Democratic amendment provides $5.116 billion more than the Republican budget for function 250.

Civilian R&D activities fall into a number of other budget functions besides function 250, including 100 (Homeland Security), 270 (Energy), 300 (Natural Resources and Environment), 370 (Commerce), and 400 (Transportation).  The structure of the Budget Resolution makes it difficult to tease out funding for specific R&D programs in these other functional areas.  However, an analysis by Science Committee staff indicates that for the period of FY 2005-2009, the Democratic budget provides approximately $12 billion more for civilian R&D than the Republican budget.

Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), Ranking Member of the House Science Committee, made the following statement on the Budget Resolution:

"The Democratic budget balanced fiscal restraint with the critical need to invest in American competitiveness.  Our country has prospered in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, because of our ability to develop and implement new technologies and ideas.  While Members on both sides of the budget debate are concerned about the size of the deficit, it is essential - now more than ever - for us to fuel future innovation through our Federal R&D programs.  Cutting or chilling American R&D would severely hurt our future abilities to compete in the increasingly sophisticated global marketplace."