Jeff Bingaman: “Let me just reiterate that I think this section which he is proposing that we strike is an important section to retain…”

“Let me just reiterate that I think this section which he is proposing that we strike is an important section to retain in the legislation. This is something which is a direct outgrowth of what the Augustine Commission recommended. They recommended that we increase funding for the National Science Foundation and that we ensure that the National Science Foundation substantially increase its efforts with regard to science education. That is what this provision does. That is what this section of the bill does. It says we want to increase authorization for the National Science Foundation, and as we are doing that, we want to be sure there is adequate funding, there is adequate attention given to science education. I believe, if there were a single thing which the National Academy of Sciences report concluded, it is that we are investing way too little as a country in science and engineering and math education across-the-board--in the Department of Education, in the Department of Energy, in the National Science Foundation, in our schools, elementary and secondary and postsecondary and universities. This is an important provision. We should keep this in the bill.”