I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4514
To provide for continuation of the Federal research investment in a fiscally
sustainable way, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 6, 1998
Mrs. WILSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Commit-
tee on Science, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, National
Security, Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide for continuation of the Federal research invest-
ment in a fiscally sustainable way, and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Research In-
vestment Act’’.
SEC. 2. GENERAL FINDINGS REGARDING FEDERAL INVEST-
MENT IN RESEARCH.
(a) VALUE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The
Congress makes the following findings with respect to the
value of research and development to the United States:
(1) Federal investment in research has resulted
in the development of technology that saved lives in
the United States and around the world.
(2) Research and development investment
across all Federal agencies has been effective in cre-
ating technology that has enhanced the American
quality of life.
(3) The Federal investment in research and de-
velopment conducted or underwritten by both mili-
tary and civilian agencies has produced benefits that
have been felt in both the private and public sector.
(4) Discoveries across the spectrum of scientific
inquiry have the potential to raise the standard of
living and the quality of life for all Americans.
(5) Science, engineering, and technology play a
critical role in shaping the modern world.
(6) Studies show that about half of all United
States post-World War II economic growth is a di-
rect result of technical innovation; and science, engi-
neering, and technology contribute to the creation of
new goods and services, new jobs and new capital.
(7) Technical innovation is the principal driving
force behind the long-term economic growth and in-
creased standards of living of the world’s modern in-
dustrial societies. Other nations are well aware of
the pivotal role of science, engineering, and tech-
nology, and they are seeking to exploit it wherever
possible to advance their own global competitiveness.
(b) STATUS OF THE FEDERAL INVESTMENT.—The
Congress makes the following findings with respect to the
status of the Federal Investment in research and develop-
ment activities:
(1) Federal investment of approximately 13 to
14 percent of the Federal discretionary budget in re-
search and development over the past 11 years has
resulted in a doubling of the nominal amount of
Federal funding.
(2) Fiscal realities now challenge Congress to
steer the Federal government’s role in science, engi-
neering, and technology in a manner that ensures a
prudent use of limited public resources. There is
both a long-term problem—addressing the ever-in-
creasing level of mandatory spending—and a near-
term challenge—apportioning a dwindling amount of
discretionary funding to an increasing range of tar-
gets in science, engineering, and technology. This
confluence of increased national dependency on tech-
nology, increased targets of opportunity, and de-
creased fiscal flexibility has created a problem of na-
tional urgency. Many indicators show that more
funding for science, engineering, and technology is
needed but, even with increased funding, priorities
must be established among different programs. The
United States cannot afford the luxury of fully fund-
ing all deserving programs.
(3) Current projections of Federal research
funding show a downward trend.
SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL FINDINGS REGARDING THE LINK BE-
TWEEN THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND USE-
FUL TECHNOLOGY.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) FLOW
OF
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND
TECHNOLOGY.—The process of science, engineering,
and technology involves many steps. The present
Federal science, engineering, and technology struc-
ture reinforces the increasingly artificial distinctions
between basic and applied activities. The result too
often is a set of discrete programs that each support
a narrow phase of research or development and are
not coordinated with one another. The government
should maximize its investment by encouraging the