House and Senate Committees Review NSF Funding Proposals

The funding process for federal agencies and programs follows, in theory, a two step process. First, Congress considers authorizing legislation, which can establish, continue, eliminate, or modify federal programs. While these bills provide funding guidance, they do not directly appropriate funds. It is common for federal agencies to continue to operate even when authorizations expire. Following authorization, Congress passes appropriations bills to fund government operations. Appropriations

President Biden Releases ‘Skinny’ Budget

On April 9, the Administration released the President’s “Skinny” Budget, an overview of the in-depth funding request for fiscal year (FY) 2022 that is expected in the coming months. While lacking detail, the budget provides important insights into the new Administration’s priorities. Overall, the request proposes $769 billion in non-defense discretionary spending, a 16 percent increase, and $754 billion in defense spending, a 1.7 percent increase.

The President notes that,

Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Plan to Double NSF Funding, Add New Directorate

On March 26, leaders on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Science Foundation (NSF) through 2026 and more than double its budget in that time.

Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with Subcommittee on Research and Technology Chairwoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Ranking Member Michael Waltz (R-FL) co-sponsored the National Science Foundation for the Future Act. NSF

New Legislation Would Double Basic Research Funding Over 10 Years

On March 23, Republicans on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, led by Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), reintroduced the Securing American Leadership in Science and Technology Act (SALSTA).

The bill would double basic research funding over 10 years at the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As written, the bill is framed as a response to