The Science and Technology Action Committee (STAC), a non-partisan alliance of non-profit, academic, foundation and business leaders advocating for greater focus and funding of science and technology, issued the following statement on the current appropriations cycle:
As Congress turns its attention to the annual appropriations cycle, the recently passed debt ceiling deal raises the importance of federal investment in research and development in the FY24 spending bills.
Ensuring our national security, economic prosperity and global competitiveness against fierce foreign competitors like China requires significant investment in science and technology. The debt ceiling deal’s cuts to the portion of the budget that funds these areas risks stalling American innovation at a crucial time. But lawmakers have the power to lessen the impact — both through regular appropriations bills and the justifiable use of emergency spending.
Funding for bipartisan priorities such as building the nation’s STEM workforce, expanding research into artificial intelligence and ensuring the latest technological advances are developed here in the U.S. are key to maintaining our position as a global leader in science and technology. And investing in the nation’s premier science agencies is critical to combatting the growing threats facing the U.S. and the world — from pandemics to climate change to energy independence.
As lawmakers consider how to divvy up the nation’s budget for FY24 and beyond, it’s vital they don’t let the debt ceiling deal’s spending cuts get in the way of sound bipartisan policies that will move the country forward. We urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to find common ground, and we look forward to working with Congress on these critical policies.