At this level, significant increases for science are impossible without offsetting cuts or alternative funding. Both the president and Congress have sworn not to break these caps. The president's budget, as well as many advocates, have supported allocating a portion of any tobacco settlement to the National Institutes of Health. Enactment of the tobacco settlement, however, seems a long shot. If it passes, it will probably be a last minute political compromise when October rolls around.
Considerable pressure exists to limit any research funded by tobacco to tobacco-related diseases.
The Senate Budget Resolution and current budget discussions in the House recommend funding science increases with cuts in other government programs, including education, public health programs, and other Clinton favorites. Even if such legislation passed Congress, it would be vetoed. In previous years, the appropriators have included cuts in certain entitlements such as state block grants. So far this year, however, these cuts have been reserved to fund the massive federal highway bill, currently speeding through Congress. This closes off one more funding source and creates the largest competitor for life science funding if new money can be found.