Science budgets squeezed

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ari Ollikainen <Ari () OLTECO com>
Date: July 20, 2004 4:20:33 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Science budgets squeezed


House Panel OKs Cutting Bush NASA Request

WASHINGTON (AP) - A House panel voted Tuesday to cut space,
environment and science programs next year, including giving
President Bush 7% less than the $16.2 billion he proposed for NASA.

The cuts, including deep reductions in the funds Bush wants to
prepare for manned missions to the Moon and Mars, were approved on
the 35th anniversary of the day Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong
took man's first steps on the Moon.

The reductions were imposed in a wide-ranging $92.9 billion measure
that also finances veterans programs. The savings helped lawmakers
finance a $2 billion increase for veterans health care, to $30.3
billion, underscoring Congress' determination to provide such money
at a time of war.

"The choices have been brutally fair," said Rep. James Walsh, R-N.Y.,
chief author of the legislation. Citing federal deficits that have
spun to record levels, he added, "We've tried to do the best we
could."

Of the 13 annual spending measures lawmakers are writing for 2005,
the bill was the most vivid example yet of the budget pressures the
Republican-run Congress is confronting. Even lawmakers' coveted
earmarks - projects they win for their home districts - were cut by
2% from last year's levels, Walsh said.

"The budget crunch we all knew was coming has finally arrived," said
Rep. Bill Young, R-Fla., chairman of the House Appropriations
Committee.

Walsh is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's
subcommittee that oversees veterans, environment, housing and
science. The panel approved the measure by voice vote - but not
without complaints from Democrats about the spending limits
Republicans have voted to impose on Congress.

"This year I think it's going to be very clear it's becoming
excruciating, if not unacceptable," said Rep. Alan Mollohan of West
Virginia, top Democrat on the subcommittee.

        [...]

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration would get $15.1
billion next year, $229 million below this year and $1.1 billion
below Bush's request.

Just $372 million was provided out of the $910 million Bush wanted
for initial preparations for manned missions to the Moon and Mars.

That included just one-fourth of the $520 million he proposed for the
crew exploration vehicle, which NASA envisions as the eventual
replacement for the space shuttle.

The space station would get $1.7 billion, $100 million less than the
president wanted. The space shuttle would get the full $4.3 billion
Bush proposed.

The Environmental Protection Agency would get $7.8 billion next year.
That is $600 million below this year's total, and $36 million less
than Bush sought.

The National Science Foundation would receive $5.5 billion, $111
million below this year's level and $278 million below Bush's request.

        [...]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-07-20-nasa-cut_x.htm


--  

  
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ 
_/
 You can't depend on your judgement when your imagination is out of  
focus.	
                                                          -- Mark Twain.
  
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ 
_/

-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as interesting-people () lists elistx com
To manage your subscription, go to
 http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip

Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/