“The wheels of power are turning in Washington, and the scientific community is holding its breath. The US Congress has just announced the selection of new top appropriators for the country’s leading science agencies, and the implications are far-reaching. As the Appropriations Committee sets the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other vital research institutions, the choices made by these new leaders will have a direct impact on the pace of innovation and discovery in America.
New Leaders, New Priorities: How Congress Will Shape the Future of Science Funding
A Changing of the Guard: Key Players in the 119th Congress
The Senate and House Appropriations Committees have finalized their members and subcommittee leaders for the 119th Congress, including several new leaders who now have greater influence to push for their own funding priorities. Some of these new leaders have previously been involved with the scientific community and advocated for funding increases for science agencies. This shift in leadership presents both opportunities and challenges for science funding in the years to come.
Senate Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Subcommittee: Sen. Van Hollen’s Focus on Maryland’s Scientific Hub
Both the Senate and House have a new top Democrat on their CJS subcommittees, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY). This subcommittee drafts spending legislation for several science agencies including NASA, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Van Hollen noted in a press release that many agencies under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction are located in Maryland, including NIST, NOAA, and NASA Goddard. He has previously supported funding increases for NASA and its partners, including the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland. Van Hollen has also introduced legislation to help historically Black colleges and universities reach R1 or “very high research activity” status. Van Hollen replaced Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as the subcommittee’s top Democrat. Shaheen is now ranking member of the subcommittee on agriculture. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) remains chair of the Senate CJS subcommittee.
In a press release, Moran said he would prioritize goals related to space exploration, including advocating for support for NASA, promoting STEM education, and working towards returning U.S. astronauts to the Moon.
House CJS Subcommittee: Rep. Meng’s Advocacy for STEM and NSF
In the House CJS subcommittee, Meng has previously advocated for funding increases for NSF and NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement to strengthen partnerships between universities and federal research agencies. In 2022, the nonprofit Science Coalition presented her with the Champion of Science award, which recognizes members of Congress “whose actions and votes consistently reflect their commitment to federally funded fundamental research.” Meng’s press release on her selection as chair emphasized her advocacy for federal investments in “public safety and education” and “efforts to create jobs and reduce costs for families.” Meng replaced former Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) as ranking member after he lost reelection. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) remains chair of the House CJS subcommittee. In a press release, Rogers highlighted NOAA and NASA as priorities for the committee. “In light of recent natural disasters across the country, we will work closely with the Department of Commerce and the agency’s numerous offices to address affected storm areas and to improve life-saving weather alerts,” he said. “NASA will also remain a top priority, as we continue to empower space exploration and partnerships with the commercial aerospace industry.” He also noted the importance of “rooting out waste” in the agencies under CJS purview.
Senate Defense Subcommittee: Sen. Coons’ Potential Influence on the DoD’s Science and Technology Portfolio
The Senate’s Defense Subcommittee is also seeing new leadership, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as chair and Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) as ranking member. The subcommittee is responsible for the Defense Department’s budget, including its science and technology portfolio, which is currently more than $20 billion a year. McConnell served as the Senate Republican leader until 2025 and succeeds Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) as the top Republican on the subcommittee. Coons succeeded former Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), who lost reelection. McConnell’s views on science policy are unclear, whereas Coons has been vocal on the subject. Coons has put forth various ideas for Congress to advance science, including a bipartisan effort to establish a national AI research institute and proposals to boost funding for basic research at the Department of Defense.
Beyond the CJS: Exploring the Impact on Other Science-Related Subcommittees
The impact of new leadership extends beyond the CJS subcommittee. Other subcommittees with significant influence over science funding include:
- Energy and Water Development: Implications for Renewable Energy Research and Infrastructure
- Transportation and Infrastructure: Focus on Research and Development in Transportation Technology
- STEM Education and Workforce Development: Investing in the Future of Innovation
- Climate Change Research: Addressing the Urgency of Environmental Challenges
- Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies: Balancing Progress with Ethical Considerations
- Bipartisan Support: Finding Common Ground in an Era of Political Polarization
- The Role of Advocacy Groups: Shaping the Science Policy Agenda
- Long-Term Sustainability: Securing Stable Funding for Scientific Advancement
These subcommittees will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of funding for key research areas, including clean energy, transportation innovation, and climate change mitigation.
Appropriations for Space Exploration: A Look at NASA’s Funding Prospects
Space exploration remains a high-profile area of research and development, garnering significant public interest and political support. The fate of NASA’s funding will be closely watched, particularly in light of the renewed focus on lunar exploration and the ambitious goals set forth by the Artemis program. The new leadership in the Senate and House appropriators, with their demonstrated interest in space exploration, could potentially pave the way for increased funding for NASA.
Science Funding Priorities: What to Watch in 2023 and Beyond
Several key science funding priorities are likely to be at the forefront of the legislative agenda in the coming years:
Congress will need to grapple with balancing competing priorities and allocating resources effectively to ensure continued progress in these critical areas.
Opportunities and Challenges: Navigating the Political Landscape for Science Funding
The new leadership in Congress presents both opportunities and challenges for science funding.
Morningpicker will continue to monitor these developments closely and provide updates on the latest science policy news and analysis.
Conclusion
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