President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy

Deborah D. StineSpecialist in Science and Technology PolicyDecember 3, 2008

CRS-2

Science and Technology (S&T) and Presidential Decision-making

Decisions that involve:• Multiple Agencies• Budgetary, Economic, National Security,

and Foreign Policy Dimensions • Issues with High Public Visibility• Ethical Issues, such as Stem Cell

Research

CRS-3

History of S&T Advice and Presidential Decision-making• Throughout U.S. History: Federal scientists and

engineers or informal personal contacts.• 1941: President F. D. Roosevelt created the

Office of Scientific Research & Development. • 1957: President Eisenhower created the Office

of Special Assistant to the President for S&T.• 1962: President Kennedy created the Office of

Science and Technology (OST).• 1973: President Nixon abolished the OST.• 1976: Congress established the OSTP.• 1989: President G.H.W. Bush appointed first

Assistant to the President for S&T.

CRS-4

National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, & Priorities Act

• Established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and its Director in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) in 1976.

• OSTP is to “serve as a source of scientific analysis and judgment for the President.”

• OSTP Director is to provide EOP with “advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues.”

CRS-5

Overview of OSTP

• Serves as a two-way communication conduit between the EOP and the federal and non-federal S&T community.

• Director and up to four Associate Directors.• Number and issue focus of Associate Directors

vary among Administrations.• FY2008 budget: $5 million• Fall 2008 staffing: 65

• 12 political staff• 19 non-political staff• 34 detailees and fellows

CRS-6

Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) Organization

FUNCTIONALSTAFF

ADMINISTRATIVESTAFF

Assistant DirectorHomeland Security

Assistant DirectorNational Security

Chief of Staff& General Counsel

Senior DirectorHomeland &

National Security

Assistant DirectorSpace

& Aeronautics

Assistant DirectorTelecom

& Information Tech

Assistant DirectorTechnology R&D

Associate Director andDeputy Director for

Science

Senior DirectorScience

Assistant DirectorLife Sciences

Assistant DirectorEnvironment

Assistant DirectorPhysical Sciences

& Engineering

Assistant DirectorEducation

& Social Science

Legal affairsLegislative affairsBudget analysisCommunications

AdministrationBudgetOffice SupportComputingSecurity

Assistant DirectorNational Security

Emergency Preparedness

Associate Director andDeputy Director for

Technology

Senior DirectorTechnology

OSTP DirectorPresident’s Council of

Advisors on Science & Technology

(PCAST)

National Science & Technology Council

(NSTC)

PRESIDENT

Source: OSTP.

CRS-7

OSTP Funding, FY1977-FY2008

Source: Congressional Research Service based on Appropriation Acts and Committee Reports.

CRS-8

OSTP Staffing Level, FY1977-FY2008

Source: Congressional Research Service based on OMB data.

CRS-9

OSTP Political and Non-political Staff, Detailees, and Fellows, FY1998-FY2008

Source: Congressional Research Service based on data provided by OSTP.

CRS-10

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)

• Predecessors: Federal Council for Science and Technology; Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology.

• Established by Executive Order 12881 (1993).• Chaired by President; Managed by OSTP

Director.• Coordinates federal government S&T policy.• Reviews S&T policy and programs for

consistency with President’s goals.• Provides S&T information and knowledge

during the development and implementation of federal policies and programs.

• Promotes international S&T cooperation.

CRS-11

National Science and Technology Council Committees

Source: National Science and Technology Council.

CRS-12

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)• Predecessors: Science Advisory Board; Science

Advisory Committee; President’s Science Advisory Committee; President’s Council on Science and Technology; White House Science Council; President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology.

• Established by Executive Order 13226 (2001).• Mechanism for the President “to receive advice

from the private sector and academic community on technology, scientific research priorities, and math and science education.”

• Co-Chaired by OSTP Director and non-governmental PCAST member.

CRS-13

Issues for Congress

• Title, Rank, Roles, and Responsibilities of OSTP Director.

• Number and Issue Focus of OSTP Associate Directors.

• Sufficiency of OSTP Budget and Staffing.• OSTP and NSTC Participation in Federal Agency

Coordination, Priority-setting, and Budget Allocation.

• OSTP Role in the Communication of Scientific and Technical Information by Federal Agency Scientists and Engineers.

• Stature and Influence of PCAST.

CRS-14

Some Options for Congressional Action

• Continue President’s Autonomy Over OSTP

• Reevaluate Need for OSTP in the EOP

• Continue Current OSTP Legislative Guidance Mechanisms

• Increase Intensity of OSTP Oversight Mechanisms

CRS-15

Final Thought

• When Congress evaluates the various policy options, a factor to consider is that the OSTP Director's influence in the EOP may depend more on the relationship between whomever is appointed to that position and the President than legislative action.

CRS: Assisting the Congress with its deliberations and legislative decisions CRS-16

For More Information

Deborah D. StineSpecialist in Science & Technology Policy

dstine@crs.loc.gov

CRS Report RL34736 - The President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy:

Issues for Congress