In separate actions, two House Appropriations Subcommittees have passed funding bills for the NSF and NEH.
On July 13, the House Appropriations Subcommitee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agecnies passed legislation that recommends $5.6 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF), and while that number is a $43 million dollar increase over last year’s funding level, it’s a full $646 million less than what was originally submitted by the President in his budget request.
A commitment from the current Administration towards developing competent and productive scientific research in all disciplines should be honored by the Appropriations Committee. Furthermore, a multi-disciplinary approach to research and development of technologies for economic and social growth is an important tool utilized by scientists today and should be allowed to continue as it is an approach that has fueled American progress for decades. As the Committee outlined its funding priorities in its legislation, it excluded the areas of scientific research listed under the NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE). This lack of attention to the SBE will inhibit scientific progress and international competitiveness.
In a seperate action, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies proposed budget cuts in its FY 2012 spending bill.
Funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) were set at $135 million; for NEH this reflects a $20 million cut from last year’s funding level and $11 million less than what was requested by the President in his budget request.
If enacted, the National Endowment for the Humanities will see cuts to its core programs and services and their ability to award grants will be severely limited.
Contact your member of Congress and Members of the Appropriations Committee and ask them to support the President’s budget request for the NSF, outline the work of the SBE as a priority for the agency, and protect funding for the NEH.
