House Science and Technology Committee Approves COMPETES Reauthorization

American Institute of Physics (Jones) - [T]he House Science and Technology Committee approved by a vote of 29 “yes” to 8 “no” votes the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010...An authorization bill has two major purposes: establishing or continuing a federal agency, program, or activity, and setting funding limits to guide appropriations bills. Yesterday’s markup revolved around both, with much discussion about money. After introducing his bill last week, Gordon reworked the numbers to reduce the total authorized funding level by 10 percent in an amended version he brought before the committee yesterday.

Many of the Republican-sponsored amendments sought to reduce the total cost of the reworked bill that Gordon brought before the committee. The bill authorizes about $82 billion in spending for five years, with annual budget increases of approximately 7 percent for the National Science Foundation, DOE Office of Science, and the laboratory program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. When projected for ten years, these budgets would be doubled, using the 2007 appropriations as the base. Actual funding will be provided through the annual appropriations bills.

The next step for H.R. 5116 is its consideration by the full House. Gordon hopes to have the House consider it before it leaves for the Memorial Day recess.