There is still time for representatives to sign a letter written by
Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) asking House appropriators to provide the "highest possible level" of funding for the National Science Foundation for FY 2005. As of today, 91 Members of the House have signed this letter. A similar letter last year had 150 signatures. The deadline for Members to sign the letter is this Friday, May 14.
The outlook on the NSF FY 2005 budget remains very uncertain. Key senators and representatives have been unable to agree on a broad framework around which the thirteen appropriations bills will be written. While the appropriations committees will be able to act on their bills after this Saturday, there is every indication that the budget process will be
especially long and difficult this year.
As discussed in FYI #46, this letter is being sent to VA, HUD, and
Independent Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman James Walsh (R-NY) and Ranking Minority Member Alan Mollohan (D-WV). This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the budget for the National Science Foundation. The leaders and members of this subcommittee are strong supporters of the NSF, but they are operating under very stringent fiscal constraints as they write a bill that funds many important federal programs.
The Administration requested an FY 2005 budget increase of $167 million or 3% for NSF. There is concern that the final appropriations bill could
provide an increase of even less than this amount.
The key words in the Ehlers/Holt letter are those in the final paragraph:
"We are mindful that you will be faced with very difficult choices this
year. We respectfully request your support to fund NSF at the highest
possible level--we cannot afford to sacrifice the research and education
which current and future generations need to ensure their economic
prosperity and domestic security." The full text of the letter can be read
at http://www.aip.org/enews/fyi/2004/046.html
Below is a list of the Members who have agreed to sign this letter, sorted
by state. Readers who want information on how to contact their
representatives may consult http://www.aip.org/gov/commcong.html
Arizona:
Grijalva, Raul (D)
Hayworth, J.D. (R)
California:
Berman, Howard (D)
Capps, Lois (D)
Cardoza, Dennis (D)
Davis, Susan (D)
Eshoo, Anna (D)
Honda, Michael (D)
Lantos, Tom (D)
Lee, Barbara (D)
Lofgren, Zoe (D)
Matsui, Robert (D)
Millender-McDonald, Juanita (D)
Miller, George (D)
Schiff, Adam (D)
Tauscher, Ellen (D)
Tennessee:
Cooper, Jim (D)
Davis, Lincoln (D)
Gordon, Bart (D)
Texas:
Burgess, Michael (R)
Frost, Martin (D)
Gonzalez, Charles (D)
Green, Gene (D)
Hall, Ralph (R)
Jackson-Lee, Sheila (D)
Johnson, Eddie Bernice (D)
Lampson, Nick (D)
Smith, Lamar (R)
Utah:
Matheson, Jim (D)
Vermont:
Sanders, Bernard (I)
Virginia:
Moran, James (D)
Washington:
Baird, Brian (D)
Inslee, Jay (D)
McDermott, Jim (D)
Smith, Adam (D)