On March 26, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing reviewing the Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2015 budget request for science agencies. Witness Dr. John Holdren, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), justified all science agency requests in his opening statement, but committee members focused on funding details for NASA, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) articulated his disappointment in the President’s proposal to cut NASA's budget by $187 million (1.1 percent decrease) from the FY 2014 enacted level of $17.5 billion. Dr. Holdren contended that the NASA request aims to continue investment in the International Space Station (ISS) and Orion missions, and to further development of private sector systems.

Dr. Holdren highlighted the Administration’s proposed Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative, suggesting the $56 billion program, which is separate from the President’s formal budget request, would be self-funded through additional revenue based on spending reforms and closing tax loopholes. According to Dr. Holdren, revenue would be divided equally between defense and non-defense spending, with $5 billion specifically for scientific research and development (R&D). He stated that the Administration would like to work with Congress on reauthorizing the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.

Sources: FY 2015 Presidential Budget Request; House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; NASA; National Science Foundation