Endocrine Insider
July 28, 2010
(See full issue)
As Congress nears the August recess, the appropriations committees are pushing forward with the fiscal year (FY) 2011 appropriations process. The House of Representatives has passed 10 of the 12 FY 2011 appropriations bills through the subcommittee process, including the bills that will fund many of the research-focused agencies through which Society members receive funding. A number of these bills have also been passed through the Senate subcommittees or full appropriations committee. The chart below outlines the funds allocated to research-funding agencies by both chambers of Congress.
|
|
FY 10 |
FY11 President’s Request |
House Subcommittee Mark-up |
Senate Subcommittee Mark-up |
|
National Institutes of Health |
$31 billion |
$32 billion |
$32 billion |
$32 billion |
|
National Science Foundation |
$6.93 billion |
$7.42 billion |
$ 7.42billion |
$7.35 billion* |
|
VA Medical and Prosthetics Research Program |
$581 million |
$590 million |
$590 million* |
$590 million* |
|
DOE Office of Science |
$4.9 billion |
$5.12 billion |
$ 4.9 billion |
$5.0 billion* |
|
*Full Senate or House Appropriations Committee passed spending bill |
Although the $32 billion given to the NIH by both subcommittees is significantly below the $37 billion advocated by many in the scientific community, the 3.5 percent increase during a time when many discretionary programs are being cut is reflective of the support of Congress and the President for biomedical research. During the July 27, 2010 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Subcommittee markup, Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) raised the issue of increasing the funding level for the NIH. Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) stated that he thought the $32 billion was reasonable given the tight overall budget and he doesn’t envision finding sources for additional funding.
