Scalise says GOP bill targets wasteful studies, but Dems say real target is climate change work
WASHINGTON – Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer funds have been wasted on research studying human set fires in New Zealand in the 1800s, civil lawsuits in Peru and production of a musical on climate change, says House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson.
Scalise said that Republicans intend to end funding on "programs that don't meet the national interests" with legislation, passed Wednesday 217-205, that would focus federal research in biology, chemistry, math and computer science.
But Democrats, who didn't provide a single vote for the bill, said that while there may be a few questionable research projects funded by the federal government, the Republican-drafted bill makes deep cuts in vital scientific research and seems intended to block research into climate change.
The bill bars the Department of Energy's Office of Science and Technology from approving new climate change science research "without making a determination that such work is unique and not duplicative of work by other agencies." Avoiding duplication makes sense, particularly at a time of large deficits and significant other funding priorities, said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
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