Barbara Mikulski

What a great social invention.

For many people, it is the gateway.

I believe all work is honorable.

Let us support it. At NSF, it is referred to as STEP.

Control your deficits, invest in research and technology, and build the smartest workforce.

No Child Left Behind is having a very troubled history now, as it is implemented.

I am concerned that historically black colleges funding has been cut by almost 15 percent.

I am very troubled by this, and the fact that the $80 million they leave behind does not stay in education.

I believe that research is short-funded. A 3 percent increase doesn't even meet locality pay standards.

I have been and will continue to be a strong supporter of NSF and a robust budget for NSF.

The strategic Federal investment in scientific research, and particularly the funding support at NSF, has directly led to innovative developments.

Supporting NSF supports NIH.

I am alarmed by this disparity because the decline in funding for the physical sciences has put our Nation's capabilities for leading the world in scientific innovation at risk.

I believe that funding for NSF should keep pace with funding for NIH.

It is a tight budget year. Tough choices will have to be made.

The most troubling choices in the budget request are cuts to programs that support smaller or under-represented research institutions.

I remain committed to NSF, but this year's budget is the most difficult we have seen in years.

I was very disappointed that the budget request only provided NSF with $5.75 billion for 2005.

I am still disappointed. This is not an NSF budget. It's an OMB budget.

The National Science Foundation is critical to our economy. Future technologies and future jobs depend upon NSF research.

Unfortunately, the budget that has been sent to this Committee falls short in many of these areas.

Senator Bond and I are committed to doubling NSF's budget. It's bi-partisan and bi-cameral.

NSF must lead the way in developing new technologies to strengthen our national security and our economic security.

America needs to be safer, stronger, and smarter.

I believe that the NSF is absolutely critical to our economy.