Science and Technology Policy: Issues for the 108th Congress, 2nd Session

Publication Date: December 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Science and technology have a pervasive influence over a wide range of issues confronting the nation. Decisions on how much federal funding to invest in research and development (R&D), and determining what programs have the highest priority, may have implications for homeland security, new high technology industries, government/private sector cooperation in R&D, and myriad other areas.

This report provides an overview of key science and technology policy issues that were debated in the 108th Congress, and identifies other CRS reports that treat those issues in more depth. Many of the issues are likely to receive continued attention in the next Congress. Most of the CRS reports cited herein are routinely updated, and should be consulted for timely information.

Among the issues debated in the 108th Congress was how much federal funding should be allocated to research and development (R&D) across the federal government. For FY2005, the Bush Administration requested $132 billion, an increase of $6 billion over the FY2004 appropriation. CRS estimates that Congress appropriated $133 billion.

In addition to debating funding issues, the 108th Congress addressed a wide range of science and technology policy issues, from cloning and stem cell research, to the deployment of "broadband" technologies to allow high speed access to the Internet. Several energy issues were debated, including President Bush's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative to develop hydrogen-fueled automobiles and for other applications. Agricultural biotechnology and global climate change research pose complex issues on both the domestic and international levels. Funding for aeronautics R&D, nanotechnology, and space programs (including President Bush's new space exploration goals for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA) also received congressional attention.

Congress continue to debate ways to lower the costs of pharmaceuticals without hindering drug innovation. Because the federal government funds basic research in the biomedical area, some believe that the public is entitled to commensurate consideration in the prices charged for resulting drugs. Conversely, others argue that government intervention in drug pricing would be contrary to long-standing technology development policies associated with encouraging technological innovation. The role of the federal government in technology development was debated as well.

This is the final edition of this report. Science and technology policy issues of interest to the 109th Congress will be discussed in a forthcoming report.