Hooley: Research Budget Threatens Economic Growth, Innovation at Local Universities
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR), Ranking Democrat of the House Science Subcommittee on Research, today called the President’s fiscal year 2006 budget for the National Science Foundation (NSF) shortsighted and inadequate for our country’s basic research needs, and vowed to fight to restore critical education funding proposed for a cut in NSF’s budget.
The White House budget falls $3 billion short of the funding level for FY2006 authorized by Congress and signed into law by the President only two years ago.
Hooley heard testimony today from three National Science Foundation officials, who appeared before the Subcommittee on Research, to detail the impact the White House’s budget proposal would have on overall research efforts as well as important NSF educational initiatives.
"The ability to compete in a global economy depends heavily upon research and innovation," said Hooley. "The cutting edge-technology that gives Oregon an advantage in today’s marketplace will not be available in the future without adequate research funding now. Maintaining our upper hand is imperative to ensuring future economic growth."
The Administration’s budget fails to follow through on a commitment to double research and development funding for the NSF. The anemic funding being proposed could prove extremely damaging to the innovative research being conducted at universities across the country. In 2003 alone, state universities received over $35 million in National Science Foundation research grants.
Science Committee Democrats and Republicans recently submitted "Views and Estimates" to the House Budget Committee emphasizing the budget inadequacies, citing that NSF now funds only about 20% of the proposals it receives, down from the 33% level that had held for many years.
"Reduced funding support for core science and education programs deprives states, school districts and students of the tools they need to achieve and compete in a global marketplace," concluded Hooley. "We in Congress must take action that will provide for a vigorous academic research enterprise for the nation that will help fill the storehouse of basic knowledge that powers the future."
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