Adam Schiff: “I rise in support of the Walker amendment. I want to say first, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research of the…”

“I rise in support of the Walker amendment. I want to say first, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research of the Committee on Science, with direct authorization and jurisdiction over the National Science Foundation, that I believe it is a well-run agency. They have their problems internally, like every other agency does, including the Congress, of course, but their overall reputation under director Neal Lane is very good. Nevertheless, I want to point out two things about the Walker amendment. First, I understand, of course, that the National Science Foundation would rather have the administration's recommendations for the salaries and expense account than it would like to have the authorizing committee, the Committee on Science's recommendations. This is because for the first year, the year we are debating right now, the administration recommends an increase in funding on that account, while the Committee on Science recommends a decrease. Mr. Chairman, I certainly cannot blame anybody for preferring an increase over a decrease.”