1. Science Funding in the US The Disastrous Omnibus Bill for 2008

2. The Promise We need to continue with important research into plug-in and advanced hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of high efficiency clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol and other biofuels. We must further expand the use of clean coal technology, solar and wind energy, and clean, safe nuclear power. (President Bush, July 2007) We need to continue with important research into plug-in and advanced hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of high efficiency clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol and other biofuels. We must further expand the use of clean coal technology, solar and wind energy, and clean, safe nuclear power. (President Bush, July 2007)

3. The Reality The White House and Congress delivered a heavy blow to the hopes of the U.S. science community yesterday (Dec 15, 2007) as part of a long-delayed final agreement on the 2008 federal budget. As a result, what began as a year of soaring rhetoric in support of science seems likely to end with agency officials and research advocates shaking their heads and wondering what went wrong. The White House and Congress delivered a heavy blow to the hopes of the U.S. science community yesterday (Dec 15, 2007) as part of a long-delayed final agreement on the 2008 federal budget. As a result, what began as a year of soaring rhetoric in support of science seems likely to end with agency officials and research advocates shaking their heads and wondering what went wrong.

4. The Context Inflation is running around 4% now Inflation is running around 4% now Inflation in materials required to support current scientific research is 8-10% Inflation in materials required to support current scientific research is 8-10% The overall budget “increase” for science in the US was 0.5% The overall budget “increase” for science in the US was 0.5% Thus we are disinvesting in science and scientific research at a time where an increase is critical  National Centers will suffer Thus we are disinvesting in science and scientific research at a time where an increase is critical  National Centers will suffer