Transcript Document

President’s Office of Science
and Technology Policy
Deborah D. Stine
Specialist in Science and Technology Policy
December 3, 2008
Science and Technology (S&T)
and Presidential Decision-making
Decisions that involve:
• Multiple Agencies
• Budgetary, Economic, National Security,
and Foreign Policy Dimensions
• Issues with High Public Visibility
• Ethical Issues, such as Stem Cell
Research
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History of S&T Advice and
Presidential Decision-making
• Throughout U.S. History: Federal scientists
and engineers or informal personal contacts.
• 1941: President F. D. Roosevelt created the
Office of Scientific Research & Development.
• 1957: President Eisenhower created the Office
of Special Assistant to the President for S&T.
• 1962: President Kennedy created the Office of
Science and Technology (OST).
• 1973: President Nixon abolished the OST.
• 1976: Congress established the OSTP.
• 1989: President G.H.W. Bush appointed first
Assistant to the President for S&T.
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National Science and Technology
Policy, Organization, & Priorities Act
• Established the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) and its
Director in the Executive Office of the
President (EOP) in 1976.
• OSTP is to “serve as a source of
scientific analysis and judgment for the
President.”
• OSTP Director is to provide EOP with
“advice on the scientific, engineering,
and technological aspects of issues.”
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Overview of OSTP
• Serves as a two-way communication conduit
between the EOP and the federal and nonfederal S&T community.
• Director and up to four Associate Directors.
• Number and issue focus of Associate Directors
vary among Administrations.
• FY2008 budget: $5 million
• Fall 2008 staffing: 65
• 12 political staff
• 19 non-political staff
• 34 detailees and fellows
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Office of Science & Technology
Policy (OSTP) Organization
PRESIDENT
OSTP Director
President’s Council of
Advisors on
Science & Technology
(PCAST)
Associate Director and
Deputy Director for
Science
Associate Director and
Deputy Director for
Technology
Chief of Staff
& General Counsel
Senior Director
Science
Senior Director
Technology
National Science &
Technology Council
(NSTC)
Senior Director
Homeland &
National Security
Assistant Director
Life Sciences
Assistant Director
Environment
Assistant Director
Space
& Aeronautics
Assistant Director
Telecom
& Information Tech
Assistant Director
Physical Sciences
& Engineering
Assistant Director
Education
& Social Science
Assistant Director
Technology R&D
Assistant Director
National Security
Emergency
Preparedness
ADMINISTRATIVE
STAFF
Source: OSTP.
Administration
Budget
Office Support
Computing
Security
FUNCTIONAL
STAFF
Assistant Director
National Security
Assistant Director
Homeland Security
Legal affairs
Legislative affairs
Budget analysis
Communications
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OSTP Funding, FY1977-FY2008
Source: Congressional Research Service based on Appropriation Acts and Committee Reports.
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OSTP Staffing Level, FY1977-FY2008
Source: Congressional Research Service based on OMB data.
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OSTP Political and Non-political Staff,
Detailees, and Fellows, FY1998-FY2008
Source: Congressional Research Service based on data provided by OSTP.
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National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC)
• Predecessors: Federal Council for Science and
Technology; Federal Coordinating Council for
Science, Engineering, and Technology.
• Established by Executive Order 12881 (1993).
• Chaired by President; Managed by OSTP
Director.
• Coordinates federal government S&T policy.
• Reviews S&T policy and programs for
consistency with President’s goals.
• Provides S&T information and knowledge
during the development and implementation
of federal policies and programs.
• Promotes international S&T cooperation.
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National Science and Technology
Council Committees
Source: National Science and Technology Council.
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President’s Council of Advisors on
Science and Technology (PCAST)
• Predecessors: Science Advisory Board;
Science Advisory Committee; President’s
Science Advisory Committee; President’s
Council on Science and Technology; White
House Science Council; President’s Committee
of Advisors on Science and Technology.
• Established by Executive Order 13226 (2001).
• Mechanism for the President “to receive advice
from the private sector and academic
community on technology, scientific research
priorities, and math and science education.”
• Co-Chaired by OSTP Director and nongovernmental PCAST member.
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Issues for Congress
• Title, Rank, Roles, and Responsibilities of
OSTP Director.
• Number and Issue Focus of OSTP Associate
Directors.
• Sufficiency of OSTP Budget and Staffing.
• OSTP and NSTC Participation in Federal
Agency Coordination, Priority-setting, and
Budget Allocation.
• OSTP Role in the Communication of Scientific
and Technical Information by Federal Agency
Scientists and Engineers.
• Stature and Influence of PCAST.
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Some Options for Congressional
Action
• Continue President’s Autonomy Over
OSTP
• Reevaluate Need for OSTP in the EOP
• Continue Current OSTP Legislative
Guidance Mechanisms
• Increase Intensity of OSTP Oversight
Mechanisms
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Final Thought
• When Congress evaluates the various
policy options, a factor to consider is
that the OSTP Director's influence in the
EOP may depend more on the
relationship between whomever is
appointed to that position and the
President than legislative action.
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For More Information
Deborah D. Stine
Specialist in Science & Technology Policy
[email protected]
CRS Report RL34736 - The President’s
Office of Science and Technology Policy:
Issues for Congress
CRS: Assisting the Congress with its deliberations and legislative decisions
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