October 1, 2009
Yesterday, September 30th, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in conjunction with the House Research & Development Caucus held a briefing on science and innovation investments in the FY10 budget. The session featured welcoming remarks by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (D-IL) and Congresswoman Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ), as well as a presentation by… Read More
September 28, 2009
The congressional agenda this week will sound familiar to those who have been following the action: Both chambers will focus on appropriations measures as the fiscal year winds down on September 30th, and Senate and House committees will continue to resolve differences on health care reform proposals. Appropriations Congress has until Wednesday night to pass… Read More
September 23, 2009
With FY09 set to come to a close on Wednesday September 30th and no FY10 appropriations bills completely through the legislative process and signed by the president, leaders in Congress are preparing a 30 day stop-gap continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the government running. A CR funds government operations (usually on a temporary basis) at the… Read More
September 22, 2009
On Monday (9/21), President Obama announced his American Innovation Strategy. The strategy includes doubling the research and development budgets of three key science agencies: the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology. The President also proposed an investment of more than 3% of the country’s Gross… Read More
September 14, 2009
This week, lawmakers will attempt to clear the decks of routine legislative business on the floors of each chamber so that they can continue to give their full attention to how to move major aspects of Democrats’ signature priorities: healthcare reform and climate change legislation. The House will take up a bill to overhaul the… Read More
September 7, 2009
Congress returns to work this week after a fractious August recess during which lawmakers were confronted about the public health insurance option and other contentious elements in Democratic health reform bills. Policy experts already are identifying less controversial proposals that could attract support from moderate Democrats and even some Republicans. Lawmakers hope to come up… Read More
August 7, 2009
After the historic vote to confirm US Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor – and add more funds to the popular “cash for clunkers” program – the Senate went into their August recess period. The House recessed last week and both will return after Labor Day. To date, only four of the twelve FY2010 appropriations bills… Read More
August 5, 2009
In a memo released this week, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) directed agencies to make research and development a priority when formulating their FY11 budget requests. Specifically, the memo directs agencies to invest in r&d that drive economic growth, promote energy effeciency and improve quality… Read More
August 5, 2009
The Senate approved their Agriculture spending bill yesterday – the fourth fiscal 2010 spending bill passed by the Senate. Informal work to begin reconciling the four spending bills passed by both chambers is expected to occur over the August break so that conference reports can be considered in September. Before leaving last week for its… Read More
August 3, 2009
With the House gone for its August recess, the Senate will turn its attention this week to passing one more spending bill, replenishing the popular Cash for Clunkers program, and confirming President Obama’s pick for the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, all with the aim to leave town Friday until after Labor Day. APPROPRIATIONS As… Read More
