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June 4, 2004 -- Congress has taken a critical step to reverse funding cuts proposed for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). On June 3, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies approved a bill that would restore $18 million of funding cuts proposed in the President's budget request for the USGS and add an additional $7 million of new funding for the agency in FY 2005. The USGS budget would increase by 0.75 percent to $944 million under the House measure. The Administration proposed cutting the USGS budget by 1.9 percent to $920 million in FY 2005.
In April, the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) testified in support of increased appropriations for the U.S. Geological Survey. As a founding member of the USGS Coalition, NCSE also met with key congressional staff to discuss how USGS science and information provide benefits to the nation.
Overall, the bill approved by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies would reduce funding for agencies under its jurisdiction from $20.0 billion in FY 2004 to $19.7 billion in FY 2005. The appropriations bill would provide $9.8 billion for the Department of the Interior, which would be $213 million below the Administration's budget request and $108 million above the FY 2004 funding level.
The full text of the House appropriations bill and accompanying committee report are not available at this time. A statement released by the House Appropriations Committee says the bill "reduces funding for grant programs and new initiatives to restore funding for core, mission-essential programs."
The USGS budget for FY 2005 will not be finalized until the appropriations bill is passed by the House and Senate in identical form and then signed into law by the President. This may not happen until after the elections in November.
Additional information about UGSG appropriations, including a budget table, will be posted on the NCSE web site (www.NCSEonline.org) as it becomes available. For more information please contact Dr. Craig Schiffries, Director of Science Policy at schiffries@NCSEonline.org or 202-530-5810.
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