Zoe Lofgren: “I would just like to further add that in the discussion had by my well-respected colleague from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff]…”

“I would just like to further add that in the discussion had by my well-respected colleague from New Mexico [Mr. Schiff], I think it is really a diversion from the issue before us. The funding actually authorized for NSF's internal operation for 1997 is what is before us, and differences in funding projections for the NSF beyond 1997 in the President's balanced budget plan versus the Gingrich budget plan really are not particularly relevant to this discussion. The outyear budget estimates for individual agencies, let alone specific budget categories such as the salaries and expense account of NSF, are not cast in stone by the proposed funding envelope of the President's budget plan any more than they are by the Republican budget resolution. For example, last year's House budget resolution assumed a total funding level of $3.17 billion for NSF for fiscal year 1997, which is $120 million, or 4 percent, below the estimate for fiscal year 1997 in this year's budget resolution. Also, we are assured in this year's budget resolution that $120 million for NSF salary and expense account for 1997, it will be followed by an equal amount in the next 5 years. However, last year's budget resolution assumed this account would decline by $5 million. The point is that the additional years will be subject to additional authorization and appropriation, and these are made on a year-by-year basis.”