June 30, 2010 – The House Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittee met yesterday afternoon to mark up the first of twelve regular spending bills for fiscal year 2011.  The Subcommittee bill would provide $60.5 billion in funding for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and related agencies.  For investments in science, technology, and innovation, the Subcommittee would provide $32.8 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion over current levels.  NSF would receive $7.4 billion, the overall level recommended by the Obama Administration (a $498 million increase over FY 2010), and a level consistent with the doubling path identified for NSF in the COMPETES Act.  Within overall science funding, the bill provides $1.5 billion to support all aspects of science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – education, from kindergarten through graduate school.  According to CSJ Subcommittee Chairman Alan Mollahan (WV), the bill places "particular focus on inquiry-based instruction, broadening minority participation, and increasing graduate student fellowships".   Additional subcommittees expected to mark up bills this week include: Agriculture; State/Foreign Operations; Legislative Branch; and Transportation/HUD. 

 

Work also continues this week in the House with an anticipated vote on a Disaster-War Supplemental spending bill for FY 2010 (H.R. 4899).  Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (WI) released a statement earlier today that the House will act on the bill this week.  Democrats are expected to hold two votes on the supplemental: one that focuses on war funding and one that focuses on domestic spending.  Among other domestic priorities, the House Appropriations Committee amendment would add $10 billion for an Education Jobs Fund to prevent teacher layoffs and $4.95 billion for Pell Grants.

 

With November elections looming, Congress has much work remaining if it is to complete appropriations work on time.  Both the House and Senate will recess July 5-9 for Fourth of July district and state work periods.  The summer recess is currently scheduled for August 9-September 10, with the 2011 fiscal year commencing on October 1.