AAS ACTION ALERT 2002-04

Summary

An amendment to the Senate NSF Authorization bill offered by Senator John McCain would strike language authorizing increased funding for NSF for the fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007. AAS members are urged to send FAXES or CALL members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (especially Republicans) asking that this amendment not be added to the bill. Time is short, the bill is scheduled to be passed out of the committee this week. Constituents of the members of the committee are especially encouraged to contact their Senator.

From Kevin B. Marvel, Deputy Executive Officer American Astronomical Society

Background

Senate bill S.2817, the NSF Authorization Act of 2002 (already passed by the House) includes language that authorizes a strong growth for the National Science Foundation with the ultimate goal of doubling the NSF's base budget over a five year period.

Although authorization legislation is not a guarantee of funding increases, the appropriations committees actually pass legislation funding the various government agencies, such legislation does codify the intentions of Congress and serves as a first step in obtaining increased funding.

Senator John McCain has proposed an amendment (text below), which would strike language in the bill authorizing significant increase for NSF in fiscal years 2005, 2006 and 2007 as well as requiring NSF to report on the impact of the increased funding they have received.

Although the positive or negative impact of the second requirement is open to debate (and the AAS is not taking a position on this aspect of the amendment), it is important to retain the language in the authorization bill that authorizes the doubling track for NSF funding.

ACTION REQUESTED

AAS members are requested to call or FAX members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee asking that the McCain amendment to the NSF Authorization bill (S.2817) not be accepted by the committee.

Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee

Committee Membership

Majority Members (Democrats)

(FORMAT OF ENTRIES)

    Member Name DC Phone DC FAX

    Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) [Chairman] 202-224-6121 202-224-4293

    Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) 202-224-3934 202-224-6747

    John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) 202-224-6472 202-224-7665

    John F. Kerry (D-MA) 202-224-2742 202-224-8525

    John B. Breaux (D-LA) 202-224-4623 202-228-2577

    Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) 202-224-2551 202-224-1193

    Ron Wyden (D-OR) 202-224-5244 202-228-2717

    Max Cleland (D-GA) 202-224-3521 202-224-0072

    Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 202-224-3553 415-956-6701

    John Edwards (D-NC) 202-224-3154 202-228-1374

    Jean Carnahan (D-MO) 202-224-6154 202-228-1518

    Bill Nelson (D-FL) 202-224-5274 202-228-2183

    Minority Members (Republicans)

    John McCain (R-AZ) [Ranking Member] 202-224-2235 202-228-2862

    Ted Stevens (R-AK) 202-224-3004 202-224-2354

    Conrad R. Burns (R-MT) 202-224-2644 202-224-8594

    Trent Lott (R-MS) 202-224-6253 202-224-2262

    Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) 202-224-5922 202-224-0776

    Olympia Snowe (R-ME) 202-224-5344 202-224-1946

    Sam Brownback (R-KS) 202-224-6521 202-228-1265

    Gordon Smith (R-OR) 202-224-3753 202-228-3997

    Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL) 202-224-2854 202-228-1372

    John Ensign (R-NV) 202-224-6244 202-228-2193

    George Allen (R-VA) 202-224-4024 202-224-5432

Link to the current bill Status and Summary page for S.2817

The McCain Amendment Text

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

September 18, 2002

Purpose: To strike the authorization for fiscal years 2005 through 2007, and require an increased funding study.

IN THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION-107TH Cong., 2D Sess. S. 2817, 107TH Congress, 2D Session SEPTEMBER 19, 2002

INTENDED to be proposed by Mr. MCCAIN Viz:

Beginning with line 10 on page 8, strike through line 14 on page 10.

On page 29, after line 7, add the following:

(c) IMPACT OF INCREASED FUNDING.-Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chair of the National Science Board shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the House of Representatives Committee on Science a report containing recommendations on how the increased spending would be used if funding for the National Science Foundation were doubled over the next 5 years.

[Mailed to US members from aas.org at 4:45pm 18 SEPT 2002]

To read previous AAS Informational Emails visit http://www.aas.org/policy/InformationalEmails.html

To read previous AAS Action Alerts visit http://www.aas.org/policy/ActionAlerts.html

Comments, questions and complaints to: mailto:marvel@aas.org