From: rsherme@diamond.nswc.navy.mil (Russel Shermer (R43))
Newsgroups: sci.research
Subject: fyi #145: Preliminary Outlines of New Administration's Science Policy
Keywords: science, funding, advisor, new.
Date: 9 Nov 92 17:41:58 GMT
Organization: NAVSWC DD White Oak Det.

Posted for:



Preliminary Outlines of New Administration's Science Policy

FYI No. 145, November 6, 1992


There is a palpable sense of excitement in Washington as it
prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Bill Clinton on
January 20.  There is much speculation about his first moves,
although so far there is little firm information about science
policy.  It is clear that Clinton sees science and technology as
important components of economic growth.  More will be known within
the next few weeks as Clinton announces his nominations for various
cabinet and other senior administration positions.  The following
are general guideposts on what to expect, based on stated
positions, voting records, press reports, and general observations.

In a number of interviews the President-elect has stated his
support for basic research.  Clinton has said that funding for the
National Science Foundation will increase at a rate which at least
keeps up with inflation, growing at a faster rate when the budget
allows.  He has stated that NSF proposal funding will continue to
be based on excellence and merit, and wants to encourage the more
rapid dissemination of research results to industry.  The current
effort underway at the Foundation to reexamine its future role
appears to have come at an appropriate time with the advent of the
new administration.

Clinton supports construction of the superconducting super
collider, although he wants foreign countries to help pay for it.
In the area of space policy, most observers judged the over-all
position taken by Clinton to be virtually identical to that of
President Bush.  Both support the space station as a source of
jobs, national prestige, and knowledge.  The Clinton-Gore space
policy includes a restoration of a funding balance between NASA's
and DOD's space programs; a higher priority for the civil aircraft
industry, rocket and satellite technologies, and the development of
a new National Launch System; and using smaller missions to improve
our understanding of the global environment, among other programs.
Manned space flight is given a lower priority, with manned
exploration of the moon and Mars classified only as "aims" because
of funding constraints.  Gore will replace Vice President Quayle as
the Chairman of the National Space Council.

Less is known about what lies in store for the Energy Department.
Both liberals and conservatives have been critical of the
department's highly varied mission, some even calling for DOE's
weapons activities to be shifted to the Defense Department, with
the National Science Foundation or another science agency assuming
DOE's science projects.  In any event, Clinton is likely to press
for far greater participation by the federal government in the
development of new technologies and jobs in the energy market.  The
mission of the national laboratories will be changing, continuing
a trend started under the present administration.


There is likely to be an increased role for the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  One columnist has suggested that
DARPA's budget could double within three years, with the
possibility that Craig Fields, the former high profile director of
the agency, being asked to resume his responsibilities.  Dual use
technologies will be given strong support by the Clinton
Administration.

It seems likely that one area receiving early attention will be a
new tax bill that is expected to contain research and development
incentives and an investment tax credit.  The House Ways and Means
Committee and Senate Finance Committee staffs will be meeting soon
with the Clinton transition team to prepare tax legislation for
consideration by Congress in January.

The science and technology communities will have a strong proponent
in the Office of the Vice President.  At numerous Senate hearings,
Senator Albert Gore has shown what seems a genuine interest in, and
knowledge of, science and technology.  Gore has held several
hearings on global climate change that had minor press and
constituent interest for what seemed to be a desire on his part to
learn more about the subject.  He has been a vocal critic of the
administration's global change policy.  In 1991, Gore voted against
the SSC and in favor of the space station.  He did not vote on
either project this year.  Gore is expected to press for
supercomputer networks, drawing on legislation which he authored.

Finally, the Clinton White House will continue to have a science
adviser, given the rank of an Assistant to the President.  Clinton
intends for this adviser to not only shape policy, but also provide
recommendations on top science and technology administration
officials.   A columnist for the "Los Angeles Times" today
mentioned former NSF Director Erich Bloch as a "dark-horse"
candidate for this position.

In developing its science policy, the Clinton administration will
have to contend with two major forces.  The budget will be very
tight, with available money targeted towards job creation and other
problems that rank high on the minds of the national electorate.
In addition, Congress will continue to play an important role, with
continuing scrutiny on the linkage between basic research and
job-creating technologies.  House science committee chairman George
Brown (who won reelection) will continue to press his committee to
reexamine the role of science in our society.  Earlier this fall a
committee task force released a report, concluding that "research
policy designed forty years ago may no longer be suitable for
addressing the problems of today's world" (see FYI #129.)  The
appropriations committees will continue to play an important role
in shaping science policy.  As noted in FYI #144, there has been a
major shake-up on the House VA, HUD, Independent Agencies
Appropriations Subcommittee.  Chairman Bob Traxler is retiring.
All three Republicans on this subcommittee are leaving.  A
legislative aide said to "assume nothing" about who will replace
these Republicans on this subcommittee having direct control over
NSF and NASA budgets.

###############
Public Information Division
American Institute of Physics
Contact: Richard M. Jones
(202) 332-9661
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