Overview
Title
To prioritize funding for an expanded and sustained national investment in basic science research.
ELI5 AI
Imagine a huge piggy bank that helps scientists discover new things, like how to build rockets or figure out energy puzzles. This bill wants to put more money in that piggy bank every year, no matter what, to make sure the scientists always have what they need to keep exploring and learning amazing stuff.
Summary AI
The bill, titled the "American Innovation Act," seeks to increase funding for basic science research in the United States. It proposes specific appropriation amounts for the fiscal years 2025 through 2035 and beyond for several key 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. The bill also includes provisions to exempt these appropriations from budget cuts that can occur through a process called sequestration and specifies that the financial effects of this spending will not be recorded on certain budgetary scorecards.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the American Innovation Act
The American Innovation Act, officially introduced as Senate Bill 3997, aims to prioritize an expanded and continuous investment in basic science research across the United States. Initiated by Senator Durbin and co-sponsored by several other senators, the bill designates funding for key federal science and technology programs over a decade, from the fiscal year 2025 to 2035. The National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are all included in this financial backing. The appropriations outlined in the bill are designed to support the scientific and technologic advancement crucial to national progress and global competitiveness.
Significant Issues in the Bill
While the bill sets out to ensure stable funding, several issues are worth noting. One primary concern is the automatic increase in future appropriations based on the Consumer Price Index. This mechanism could potentially lead to unchecked increases in funding without adequate oversight, leading to inefficiencies or wasteful spending. Moreover, the bill lists appropriations for various agencies but lacks explicit goals or criteria, raising accountability and effectiveness concerns.
The language of the bill is also critiqued for its complexity. The definitions section uses repetitive phrasing that may confuse or obscure the clarity regarding which entities and projects are funded. Additionally, exemptions from sequestration, the process of automatic spending cuts, could result in an imbalance in defense spending priorities. Lastly, statements about budgetary effects not being entered on PAYGO scorecards might reduce financial transparency, limiting accountability and fiscal tracking.
Broad Public Impact
Broadly, the bill's intent to sustain science research is poised to bolster the United States’ innovation landscape, potentially leading to advancements that benefit various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and education. An assured funding stream could encourage projects capable of creating jobs, enhancing national security, and addressing global challenges such as climate change or pandemics. Ideally, the public stands to gain from technological and scientific breakthroughs that improve quality of life.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For research institutions and universities, the proposed funding provides opportunities to expand scientific exploration, attract top-tier talent, and foster educational initiatives. Federal agencies named in the bill could see improved capacities to execute long-term projects without the disruptions of funding uncertainties.
However, skepticism about the bill's exemption from sequestration and accountability metrics may arise from stakeholders concerned with fiscal responsibility, including taxpayer advocacy groups or budget committees. Such features may be viewed as favoring specific scientific programs over others and lacking transparency, igniting debates on the equitable allocation of federal funds. Businesses reliant on tech-derived products and services could benefit from the ripple effects of funding that catalyzes research and development, spurring innovation and competitiveness.
In conclusion, the American Innovation Act addresses a critical need for sustainable research funding, poised to advance science and technology in the United States. However, attention to oversight, accountability, and transparency remains crucial to achieve a beneficial balance between effective investment and fiscal responsibility.
Financial Assessment
The "American Innovation Act" introduced in the Senate proposes significant funding increases for basic science research across several governmental science and technology organizations. This commentary outlines the financial appropriations included in the bill and examines related issues.
Financial Allocations
The bill authorizes appropriations from fiscal year 2025 through 2035 and continues funding beyond, adjusted based on inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The key allocations include:
National Science Foundation: Begins with $9.741 billion in 2025, rising to $18.280 billion by 2034. For 2035 and after, appropriations increase annually based on CPI.
Department of Energy, Office of Science: Starts at $8.859 billion for 2025, growing to $16.625 billion by 2034, with CPI-based increases for subsequent years.
Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs: Begins with $21.897 billion in 2025, reaching $41.091 billion by 2034, with continual increases tied to CPI thereafter.
National Institute of Standards and Technology: Initial funding is $1.161 billion in 2025, reaching $2.179 billion by 2034, followed by CPI-tied increases.
NASA's Science Mission Directorate: Begins at $7.885 billion for 2025, up to $14.797 billion in 2034, with further increases tied to inflation.
Relation to Identified Issues
Automatic CPI Adjustments: The provision for automatic increases tied to the CPI (subsections (a)(1)(K), (a)(2)(K), (a)(3)(K), (a)(4)(K), and (a)(5)(K)) means that future appropriations will not require additional congressional approval. While this can ensure consistent funding, it may also lead to unchecked spending increases without detailed oversight, risking inefficient or wasteful use of funds.
Lack of Specific Criteria or Goals: The massive financial commitments laid out in Section 2(a) are not accompanied by specific objectives or performance criteria, raising concerns about accountability and effective utilization of funds. This could lead to questions regarding the impact and necessity of such large expenditures.
Sequester Exemption: The appropriations are exempted from sequestration, which generally mandates budget cuts during deficit periods. While this secures funding for vital science research, it may create an imbalance by privileging these programs over other critical spending areas (subsection (d)).
PAYGO Scorecard Exclusion: Not recording financial effects on PAYGO scorecards may diminish transparency regarding the fiscal consequences of these allocations (subsection (e)). This decision could obscure the budgetary impact and hinder effective financial oversight.
The bill's intent to bolster science research funding pairs with these potential drawbacks, necessitating careful consideration of the long-term fiscal implications and operational effectiveness of such substantial appropriations in the future.
Issues
The appropriations for fiscal year 2035 and each fiscal year thereafter are tied to the Consumer Price Index, which might lead to automatic increases in appropriations without further congressional oversight, potentially leading to wasteful spending. This is found in SEC. 2. Appropriations for innovation, subsections (a)(1)(K), (a)(2)(K), (a)(3)(K), (a)(4)(K), and (a)(5)(K).
The text includes multiple appropriations to specific agencies and programs without clear criteria or goals for what these funds are supposed to achieve, leading to concerns about accountability and effectiveness in the use of the funds. This is found in SEC. 2. Appropriations for innovation, subsection (a).
The language used in the definitions section could be simplified, as it unnecessarily repeats the phrase 'appropriations accounts that support the various institutes, offices, and centers that make up' for each entity, adding complexity without adding clarity. This is found in SEC. 2. Appropriations for innovation, subsection (c).
The provision exempting appropriations from sequestration under certain conditions could be seen as favoring specific programs, creating an imbalance in defense spending priorities. This is found in SEC. 2. Appropriations for innovation, subsection (d).
The budgetary effects clause stating that the effects shall not be entered on PAYGO scorecards could hinder transparency and the ability to track the fiscal impact of these appropriations. This is found in SEC. 2. Appropriations for innovation, subsection (e).
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 Act states that it can be called the “American Innovation Act.”
2. Appropriations for innovation Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the funding amounts authorized for various federal science and technology programs from 2025 to 2035, including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA, with future increases tied to inflation. Additionally, it specifies that these appropriations will not be affected by budget cuts known as sequestration and that the budgetary impacts will not be entered into certain federal financial accountability reports.
Money References
- (a) In general.—There are hereby authorized to be appropriated, and appropriated, out of any monies in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the following: (1) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.—For the National Science Foundation— (A) for fiscal year 2025, $9,741,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2026, $10,460,00,000; (C) for fiscal year 2027, $11,213,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2028, $12,019,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2029, $12,886,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2030, $13,817,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2031, $14,817,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2032, $15,891,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2033, $17,043,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2034, $18,280,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2035 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 2025, $8,859,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2026, $9,513,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2027, $10,199,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2028, $10,931,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2029, $11,720,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2030, $12,566,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2031, $13,476,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2032, $14,452,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2033, $15,501,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2034, $16,625,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2035 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 2025, $21,897,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2026, $23,512,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2027, $25,207,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2028, $27,018,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2029, $28,966,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2030, $31,059,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2031, $33,307,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2032, $35,721,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2033, $38,312,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2034, $41,091,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2035 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 2025, $1,161,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2026, $1,247,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2027, $1,337,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2028, $1,433,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2029, $1,536,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2030, $1,647,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2031, $1,766,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2032, $1,894,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2033, $2,032,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2034, $2,179,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2035 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 2025, $7,885,000,000; (B) for fiscal year 2026, $8,467,000,000; (C) for fiscal year 2027, $9,077,000,000; (D) for fiscal year 2028, $9,729,000,000; (E) for fiscal year 2029, $10,431,000,000; (F) for fiscal year 2030, $11,185,000,000; (G) for fiscal year 2031, $11,994,000,000; (H) for fiscal year 2032, $12,863,000,000; (I) for fiscal year 2033, $13,796,000,000; (J) for fiscal year 2034, $14,797,000,000; and (K) for fiscal year 2035 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.