Science is going under the knife again in Congress.
I echo Peter’s outrage, although I am starting to get jaded. Science loses again? But it isn’t over – you too can contact your senators and representatives and tell them what you think. If that doesn’t work, let the Obama administration know that this is not indicative of “putting science in its rightful place”. From the white house agenda on technology:
- Invest in the Sciences: Double federal funding for basic research over ten years, changing the posture of our federal government to one that embraces science and technology.
- Invest in University-Based Research: Expand research initiatives at American colleges and universities. Provide new research grants to the most outstanding early-career researchers in the country.
Doesn’t look like that right now. Maybe he would veto the bill although that is tough given the Economic situation. But at least if you want to see the US participate in the LHC and other endeavors to expand the frontiers of human knowledge, let the people who represent you know how you feel.
May not be the end of the world as Phil at Bad Astronomy reports.
Plus won’t there be a regular budget at some time that can address the President’s stated desire to restore science?
Phil at Bad Astronomy
Details of the House and Senate bills can be found on Senator Nelson’s website:
http://bennelson.senate.gov/documents/Nelson-Collins%20Stimulus%20Final.xls
Perhaps I should back off the “science” bit, since everyone has their favorite science, but for basic research in High Energy (and Heavy Ion) physics, it is DoE Office of Science and NSF, and what I learn from here is
Doe Office of Science got cut by 83.5% between House and Senate versions. Actually, the House proposal got cut out completely, and then senate added something for “Lab construction” although I’m not sure which lab that is.
NSF took a 60% cut between the two proposals.
So not so good for HEP. As far as the regular budget cycle goes – yes, one could wait for that, but, well, we’ve been there before with the Omnibus bill, plus a effective continuing resolution for HEP this year may produce the same situation which gave us Fermilab furloughs, potential layoffs (before the golden parachute), and little money to support all these students who are so raring to go because of the LHC. So, again, what looked like a very positive statement about the value of science to the nation again becomes a missed opportunity. That’s my $0.02
Just to up date for posterity most of the science funding got put back in the bill during the conference process.
From Science
So Good news No?
Hi Harbles-
You are correct but I don’t want to jinx the whole deal as the bill is not yet signed. Even scientists can be superstitious, plus, you know what day it is, right? I’ll rejoice when Obama’s ink is dry.