Overview
Title
To prioritize funding for an expanded and sustained national investment in basic science research.
ELI5 AI
H. R. 2628 is a bill that wants to give more money to science projects in the U.S. over the next ten years, helping places like NASA and the National Science Foundation grow, while making sure the money can change with prices and doesn’t run out until it's used.
Summary AI
H. R. 2628, titled the "American Innovation Act," aims to enhance financial support for basic science research across the United States. The bill proposes a structured increase in funding for several key scientific bodies over the next decade, including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, Department of Defense science and technology programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Department of Commerce, and NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The funds appropriated will be adjusted yearly based on inflation rates and remain available until spent. Furthermore, the bill exempts these appropriations from budget sequestration and excludes them from statutory and Senate PAYGO scorecards.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The American Innovation Act, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to significantly boost United States investment in basic science research. The bill authorizes substantial funding increases over a ten-year period for major scientific organizations including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the Department of Defense's science and technology programs, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA's Science Mission Directorate. Starting in fiscal year 2026 and extending through fiscal year 2035, appropriations are defined with an indexing plan based on the Consumer Price Index for subsequent years, ensuring that investment levels keep pace with inflation.
Summary of Significant Issues
One primary concern regarding the bill is its provision for automatic increases in funding based on the Consumer Price Index. While this might seem reasonable to ensure funding keeps up with inflation, it also bypasses direct Congressional scrutiny that could otherwise regulate appropriations to ensure only necessary spending.
Another significant issue is the exemption of these funds from sequestration—a process designed to enforce fiscal discipline by implementing automatic spending cuts during budgetary shortfalls. By excluding these appropriations, the bill removes a layer of budgetary control and flexibility, potentially exacerbating fiscal imbalances.
Moreover, the amounts appropriated are allowed to remain available indefinitely until they are spent, raising concerns about accountability and urgency in fund utilization. There is no provision in the bill that mandates a deadline for expenditure, potentially leading to inefficient use of public funds.
Impact on the Public
The American Innovation Act has the potential to greatly benefit the public by strengthening the country's scientific research infrastructure. Increased funding for crucial scientific establishments could lead to groundbreaking advances in technology, medicine, and environmental science. This, in turn, could stimulate economic growth, improve public health, and enhance national security.
However, the financial implications of the bill's proposed spending must be carefully balanced. Increased spending without adequate controls could lead to inefficiencies and contribute to the national deficit, which might affect taxpayers indirectly through economic impacts such as inflation or increased borrowing costs for the government.
Impact on Stakeholders
For scientific institutions and researchers, this bill is overwhelmingly positive. The guaranteed funding increases could ensure long-term sustainability for research projects and attract top talent in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This could enhance the U.S.'s position as a global leader in scientific innovation.
On the other hand, financial oversight bodies and fiscal responsibility advocates may view this bill's bypass of budgetary controls with concern. The exclusion from sequestration and PAYGO scorecards potentially undermines the stringent fiscal discipline many believe is necessary to keep government spending in check.
In conclusion, the American Innovation Act represents a significant potential commitment to advancing U.S. scientific research, promising considerable benefits if managed prudently, but with notable areas of financial oversight concern that warrant attention.
Financial Assessment
The American Innovation Act, introduced as H. R. 2628, proposes significant financial commitments aimed at bolstering basic science research across several federal agencies. Key highlights of the bill include designated funding amounts that increase annually over the next decade, adjusting for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Summary of Spending and Appropriations
The bill sets forth a detailed plan for increased appropriations to multiple scientific bodies, effective starting in fiscal year 2026. Notable allocations include:
- National Science Foundation: Starting at $9,735,000,000 in FY 2026 and increasing to $18,279,000,000 by FY 2035.
- Department of Energy, Office of Science: Beginning at $8,854,000,000 in FY 2026 and rising to $16,624,000,000 by FY 2035.
- Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs: Initiating at $23,109,000,000 in FY 2026 with a proposed increase to $43,392,000,000 by FY 2035.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Funding starts at $1,244,000,000 in FY 2026, growing to $2,335,000,000 by FY 2035.
- NASA's Science Mission Directorate: Commences with $7,880,000,000 in FY 2026, reaching $14,796,000,000 by FY 2035.
A noteworthy feature is the automatic increase for each agency's budget after FY 2035, aligned with the CPI, ensuring adjustments for inflation without requiring additional legislative action.
Issues and Implications of Financial Provisions
Automatic Increases Linked to CPI: The provision for advances based on the CPI suggests a lack of direct Congressional oversight in subsequent years. This could lead to unanticipated spending increases, as allocations grow automatically without specific legislative approval.
Exemption from Sequestration: By exempting these appropriations from sequestration, the bill potentially undermines fiscal flexibility. Budget sequestration often serves as a deficit control tool, and removing appropriations from its oversight could limit the government's ability to respond effectively to fiscal emergencies.
PAYGO Exclusions: The decision to exclude these appropriations from both statutory and Senate PAYGO scorecards raises concerns about fiscal responsibility. By not accounting for this spending in budget enforcement mechanisms, the bill may permit expenditures without corresponding offsets or revenue enhancements, challenging traditional budgetary discipline.
Funds Available Until Expended: By allowing appropriations to remain available indefinitely, the bill may foster a lack of urgency in utilizing funds efficiently. This could lead to prolonged obligations and diminish accountability for ensuring timely and effective expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
Complex Financial Language: The intricate legal and financial terminology used in defining the appropriations and their adjustment mechanisms may obscure understanding for individuals without specialized knowledge, reducing the accessibility and transparency of the funding procedures.
Overall, while H. R. 2628 outlines ambitious financial commitments to science and technology, its mechanisms for managing these funds present challenges in oversight, fiscal discipline, and transparency.
Issues
The appropriations clause in Section 2 allows for automatic increases based on the Consumer Price Index without specific Congressional oversight, which could lead to unplanned and potentially excessive future spending.
The exemption from sequestration in Section 2(d) could limit fiscal flexibility and accountability, as these funds would not be subject to deficit reduction measures, reducing overall budgetary control.
Section 2(e) excludes budgetary effects from PAYGO scorecards, which might undermine fiscal responsibility and transparency since these appropriations will not be considered in budget enforcement mechanisms.
Section 2(b) states that appropriated amounts shall remain available until expended, potentially leading to indefinite liabilities and a lack of urgency or accountability in utilizing the funds effectively.
Legal and financial language in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) is complex and may be difficult for a layperson to understand without specialized knowledge, reducing transparency and accessibility of the bill.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this bill is called the "American Innovation Act," which serves as the official, short title of the legislation.
2. Appropriations for innovation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section authorizes specific amounts of money from the Treasury to be allocated to various science and technology programs from 2026 to 2036, including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. Additionally, the funds are exempt from certain budget restrictions, and their effects won't be counted in specific budget scorecards.
Money References
- FOUNDATION.—For the National Science Foundation— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $9,735,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2027, $10,447,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2028, $11,205,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2029, $12,016,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2030, $12,886,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2031, $13,818,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2032, $14,818,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2033, $15,892,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2034, $17,043,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2035, $18,279,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any), during the previous fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OFFICE OF SCIENCE.—For the Office of Science at the Department of Energy— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $8,854,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2027, $9,501,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2028, $10,191,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2029, $10,929,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2030, $11,720,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2031, $12,568,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2032, $13,477,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2033, $14,453,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2034, $15,501,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2035, $16,624,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any), during the previous fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (3) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.—For the Department of Defense science and technology programs— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $23,109,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2027, $24,799,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2028, $26,259,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2029, $28,525,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2030, $30,590,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2031, $32,803,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2032, $35,178,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2033, $37,725,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2034, $40,459,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2035, $43,392,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any), during the previous fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (4) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES.—For the scientific and technical research and services of the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Department of Commerce— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $1,244,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2027, $1,335,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2028, $1,431,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2029, $1,535,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2030, $1,646,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2031, $1,765,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2032, $1,893,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2033, $2,030,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2034, $2,177,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2035, $2,335,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any), during the previous fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- (5) NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE.—For the Science Mission Directorate at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration— (A) for fiscal year 2026, $7,880,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2027, $8,457,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2028, $9,070,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2029, $9,727,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2030, $10,431,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2031, $11,186,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2032, $11,995,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2033, $12,864,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2034, $13,796,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2035, $14,796,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount appropriated under this paragraph for the previous fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase (if any), during the previous fiscal year, in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (b) Availability.—Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended. (c) Definitions.—In this section: (1) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.—The term “Department of Defense science and technology programs” means the appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up the Department of Defense science and technology programs.