Number: RL34396
Title: The America COMPETES Act and the FY2009 Budget
Authors: Deborah D. Stine, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: The Administration and Congress agree on the need to invest in science and engineering research, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in order for the United States to be more competitive with other nations. Their priorities as to which programs to fund, and how much, however, are different. When Congress passed the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science Act (P.L. 110-69), known as the America COMPETES Act, in August 2007, much of the FY2008 appropriations debate had already taken place. As a consequence, FY2008 appropriations largely failed to address the new priorities enacted in the America COMPETES Act. The FY2009 budget cycle is the first time Congress has debated funding for America COMPETES Act programs from the beginning of the appropriations process. The purpose of this report is to compare the President's FY2009 budget request to the FY2009 authorized levels provided by the America COMPETES Act.
Pages: 26
Date: October 17, 2008