GOVERNMENT
Outlook grim for federal R&D spending Science and R&D are no longer darlings of Congress as economy wave sweeps through Capitol In the light of the drastic economy wave sweeping through Congress, two big questions for the scientific community are: What will be the level of federal spending for research and development in the current fiscal year? And equally important: What's the outlook for federal R&D spending in fiscal 1969, beginning next July 1? There is no firm answer to these questions as of now, but to those accustomed to ever-increasing federal commitments to R&D, the outlook is grim. All the appropriations for the current fiscal year, now into its fifth month, have not yet been approved by Congress. However, federal R&D spending seems likely to hold near the same level as last year—about $16.5 billion. But it could drop as low as $15.4 billion if the most vigorous of the economy-ax wielders in the House get their way. As for next year, appropriations are unlikely to be any higher than those for this year. And there is a chance they may be somewhat lower. One reason for next year's dreary outlook is the election. Representatives and Senators up for re-election doubtless will continue the pressure for strong budget cuts to show the folks back home that they are staunch guardians of the public purse. But much more significant is the idea, which seems to be gaining support in Congress, that research and development spending is fair game for the economy ax. Today, science and research and development projects are not the darlings of Congress that they were in the late 50's and early 60's. Then, federal spending for R&D soared upward each year at a dizzying pace. However, for the past three or four years R&D spending has been on a sort of plateau. The new attitude in the economy crusade was well expressed by the House Appropriations Committee in recommending a 10% across-the-board cut in R&D appropriations. Noting that the Government has "poured billions of dollars into public and private institutions and organizations to finance research of one kind or another," the committee said: "The purpose [of the cut] is to save some money and manpower at a time of fiscal crisis, force a re-evaluation of research proj38 C&EN NOV. 6, 1967
ects, the resetting of priorities, the deferral of projects not essential at this time, and the elimination of marginal projects." And during floor debate on this proposal, Rep. Frank T. Bow (R.Ohio), the chief ax-swinger, said, "R&D spending is a prime area for economy. The cut here could be much larger." So far, more than $1 billion has been cut from the R&D appropriations for the current fiscal year and the process is continuing. Traditionally, the House makes cuts in spending, the Senate restores all or most of the funds, and the resulting House-Senate conference splits the difference. But this year tradition has been cast aside. Now, when the conferees return to the House with the usual compromise the House rejects it. The conferees are discharged, new ones are appointed, and they are told not to come back unless the Senate agrees to the House version of the appropriation bill. So far, this procedure has worked well. Most of the conference reports are either at the House-approved level or are only slightly higher. Although the outlook for R&D
spending is dark, there are a few tiny signs that politics-as-usual may offer a little relief. Quite often Congress makes cuts in initial appropriations in response to public outcries. Then later on, when the voters are looking the other way, some of the money cuts are restored in supplemental appropriations bills. These slide through Congress without much fanfare. Rep. James Fulton (R.-Pa.) gives a clue that this routine might be used to put a little flesh back on the appropriation for the space program. Rep. Fulton, ranking minority member of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, led the fight on the House floor to cut the authorization for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's funds. Later he was appalled when the House cut the appropriation below the sum authorized. Victims of the House slash were the program of probes to Mars and further development of the nuclear rocket. The House voted no funds for these programs; the Senate approved $95 million. As a result of the second House-Senate conference on the NASA appropriation the space agency got $15 million added to a cut-back postApollo program with orders to distribute the money as it saw fit. When the final appropriation was debated, Rep. Fulton said, "Congress has always been receptive to requests for deficiency appropriations from NASA. If reprograming fails to take care of necessary program requirements, NASA can come back to Congress at a later time and make its needs known."
Will Federal R&D Spending Drop? Billions of dollars
(Budget)
15 (Possible appropriation)
Fiscal year Source: National Science Foundation; C&EN Estimates
