Bush's Budget cuts in science and technology

A decade of strong growth in US research funding came to an abrupt halt on February 2, when President Bush released a budget proposal that attempts to confront the nation's massive financial deficit.  The budget for the 2005 fiscal year, which begins on 1 October, offers little new money for researchers. Funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) would struggle to keep up with inflation, and programmes at most other major agencies are cut.  

Federal investments in science and technology make sense.  Americans have funded groundbreaking research into disease prevention and amazing new medical breakthroughs, cutting-edge business technology, energy efficiency, and educational tools that help our children learn in new ways.

 
There is a direct connection between investments in research and development today, and economic prosperity and world leadership tomorrow. That's why Democrat budget plan would continue to invest in the National Science Foundation, NASA, research at schools and universities; and new energy technologies to give business and consumers more affordable, cleaner energy. We understand the importance of the Advanced Technology Program and the Manufacturing Extension Program, which work with industry to develop cutting edge technologies and improve our manufacturing competitiveness.

In contrast, the Bush budget calls for drastically underfunding science and technology.  Bush's science and technology budget would drop from an estimated $61.7 billion in fiscal year 2005 to $60.8 billion in 2006. The science and technology budget includes programs such as space exploration, renewable energy, and agricultural research, as well as technology-related research and development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Indeed, even Republicans on the Science Committee pointed out, "The level of funding proposed in the President's budget for research and development, especially basic research, is far from adequate."

The Republican budget cuts even deeper - for example cutting Energy Department science programs by one-third, threatening cutting-edge research at universities and National Laboratories. Republicans recently passed a spending bill that eliminates the important Advanced Technology Program and slashes the Manufacturing Extension Program by two-thirds.

Republicans passed a spending bill that cuts educational technology programs - so important for our nation's children - by $300 million below the authorized level and eliminates a program providing technology training for teachers.

Bush only wants to spend money on his Social Security privatization scheme and on the war in Iraq.  The king is out of control.