Jeff Bingaman: “Mr. President, I rise as in morning business to speak about the budget that has been submitted by the President, and…”

“Mr. President, I rise as in morning business to speak about the budget that has been submitted by the President, and particularly to speak about the science and technology portions of the budget, the portions of the budget that are intended to support science and technology in this country. In his recent State of the Union Message, President Bush said: By making our economy more flexible, more innovative, and more competitive, we will keep America the economic leader of the world. I agree with the President that strong economic growth is vital to continued American leadership. I also believe innovation is the key to that growth. But the reality of his proposed budget to spur innovation for the next year does not square with the rhetoric we heard last week. I fear this budget will do serious harm to our Nation's scientific and technological capacity. And because it shortchanges our children and threatens to deprive them of the prosperous America we have enjoyed, the shame will be on us if we allow it to be enacted as it has been presented to us.”