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01 August 2019
New Budget Deal Important Step toward Federal Support for Research and Development
The Optical Society (OSA) applauds the U.S. Congress for passing a two-year (FY20 and FY21) budget deal. The legislation prevents an otherwise crippling $125 billion USD in spending cuts, which would have had a chilling effect on U.S. research and innovation, and the work of thousands of our nation’s scientists and engineers, including many OSA members.
The budget deal signals an important step in this year’s annual federal funding cycle—which also funds research and development. Both houses of Congress must now approve FY20 spending bills or pass continuing resolutions to avoid another government shutdown.
Any interruption in funding for key federal agencies—such as the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Defense—could significantly delay critical research at the forefront of technology and the foundation of science. Multiyear research initiatives, support for the next generation of scientists and engineers, and international collaborations that depend on U.S. participation and federal support are at stake. The partial government shutdown in December 2018 should stand as a reminder to policymakers of a shutdown’s negative impact to the U.S. research ecosystem.
The OSA is heartened that this first major hurdle towards an FY20 federal budget has been cleared. OSA will continue to advocate for robust federal investments in science and technology in FY20 and in the years ahead.
About The Optical Society
The Optical Society (OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light. OSA’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources, and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical, and educational achievement.
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