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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [February 7, 2014]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' The President nominates the OSTP Director, who is subject to confirmation by the Senate. In many Administrations, the President has concurrently appointed the OSTP Director to the position of Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST), a position that allows for the provision of confidential advice to the President on matters of science and technology. While Congress can require the OSTP Director to testify, the APST may decline requests to testify on the basis of separation of powers and/or executive privilege. The APST manages the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), an interagency body established by Executive Order 12881 that coordinates science and technology (S&T) policy across the federal government. The APST also co-chairs the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a council established by Executive Order 13539 and composed of external advisors who provide advice to the President. In the Obama Administration, John Holdren is both the OSTP Director and the APST."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2014-02-07
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [January 13, 2014]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' […] Some in the S&T [Science and Technology] community support raising the OSTP Director to Cabinet rank, contending that this would imbue the position with greater influence within the EOP. Others have proposed that the OSTP Director play a greater role in federal agency coordination, priority setting, and budget allocation. Both the Administration and Congress have identified areas of policy focus for OSTP staff, raising questions of policy setting and oversight. Some experts say NSTC has insufficient authority over federal agencies engaged in science and technology activities and PCAST insufficient influence on S&T policy; they question the overall coordination of federal science and technology activities. Finally, some in the scientific community support increasing the authority of the OSTP Director in the budget process to bring greater science and technology expertise to federal investment decision making."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2014-01-13
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [April 12, 2013]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' […] In FY2011, Congress sought to restrict OSTP from engaging in certain activities with China or any Chinese-owned company by prohibiting the use of appropriated funds for these activities (P.L. 112-10). The OSTP expended a portion of its FY2011 appropriation to engage in activities with China that Congress sought to proscribe. The Department of Justice and OSTP asserted that this congressional effort infringed upon the President's constitutional authority to conduct foreign diplomacy. In contrast, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that OSTP violated the Antideficiency Act, though it did not speak to the constitutional issue. Congress enacted a similar restriction for FY2012 (P.L. 112-55) and FY2013 (P.L. 113-6) and may continue its interest in the debate over its ability to restrict the activities of OSTP. Among other issues Congress may wish to consider are the need for science advice within the EOP; the title, rank, and responsibilities of the OSTP Director; the policy foci of OSTP; the funding and staffing for OSTP; the roles and functions of OSTP and NSTC in setting federal science and technology policy; and the status and influence of PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2013-04-12
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [April 12, 2013]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including the position of its Director, within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. [Public Law] 94-282) to provide scientific and technological analysis and advice to the President. This codified and institutionalized a presidential science advice function that previously existed at each President's discretion. This report provides an overview of the history of science and technology (S&T) advice to the President and discusses selected issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2013-04-12
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [November 26, 2012]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' [...] In FY2011, Congress sought to restrict OSTP from engaging in certain activities with China or any Chinese-owned company by prohibiting the use of appropriated funds for these activities (P.L. 112-10). The OSTP expended a portion of its FY2011 appropriation to engage in activities with China that Congress sought to proscribe. The Department of Justice and OSTP asserted that this congressional effort infringed upon the President's constitutional authority to conduct foreign diplomacy. In contrast, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that OSTP violated the Antideficiency Act, though it did not speak to the constitutional issue. Congress enacted a similar restriction for FY2012 (P.L. 112-55) and FY2013 (P.L. 112-175) and may continue its interest in the debate over its ability to restrict the activities of OSTP. Among other issues Congress may wish to consider are the need for science advice within the EOP; the title, rank, and responsibilities of the OSTP Director; the policy foci of OSTP; the funding and staffing for OSTP; the roles and functions of OSTP and NSTC in setting federal science and technology policy; and the status and influence of PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2012-11-26
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [February 10, 2012]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including the position of its Director, within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282) to provide scientific and technological analysis and advice to the President. This codified and institutionalized a presidential science advice function that previously existed at each President's discretion. This report provides an overview of the history of science and technology (S&T) advice to the President, and discusses selected issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Shea, Dana A.
2012-02-10
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [June 3, 2009]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including the position of its Director, within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. [Public Law] 94-282). The act states that 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' In addition, the act establishes the position of the OSTP director. According to the act, 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President, advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Unlike the heads of some other EOP agencies, the OSTP Director testifies before congressional committees, even though the office provides advice and assistance to the White House. This report will provide an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, and provide an overview and discuss issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology], and NSTC [National Science and Technology Council]. The report also discusses actions taken by the Obama Administration regarding OSTP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2009-06-03
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress [April 21, 2009]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including the position of its Director, within the Executive Office of the President (EOP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. [Public Law] 94-282). The act states that 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' In addition, the act establishes the position of the OSTP director. According to the act, 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President, advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Unlike the heads of some other EOP agencies, the OSTP Director testifies before congressional committees, even though the office provides advice and assistance to the White House. This report will provide an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, and provide an overview and discuss issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology], and NSTC [National Science and Technology Council]. The report also discusses actions taken by the Obama Administration regarding OSTP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2009-04-21
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress [February 6, 2009]
"This report will provide an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, and provide an overview and discuss issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, PCAST, and NSTC. Further, Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2009-02-06
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress [December 24, 2008]
"Congress may consider several legislative options regarding OSTP [Office of Science and Technology Policy]. First, it may wish to allow the President to have autonomy over OSTP. Currently, the President maintains discretion over the policies, structure, and personnel of OSTP, NSTC [National Science and Technology Council], and PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology], often through executive orders. Second, Congress may wish to evaluate whether or not OSTP is still needed within the EOP [Executive Office of the President]. If so, Congress can continue its current OSTP legislative guidance mechanisms, or it can increase the intensity with which it applies those mechanisms. Congress annually evaluates OSTP through the regular authorization and appropriations process, and introduces issue-specific bills that identify actions and issues on which Members of Congress believe OSTP should focus. An alternative is for Congress to increase the intensity of its evaluation by holding oversight hearings on OSTP, or by amending OSTP's authorization statute. 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. On December 20, 2008, President-elect Obama stated his intention to appoint Dr. John Holdren as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST), OSTP Director, and Co-Chair of PCAST, and that 'promoting science isn't just about providing resources--it's about protecting free and open inquiry.' He also indicated his intention to appoint Dr. Harold Varmus and Dr. Eric Lander as the other co-chairs of PCAST."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2008-12-24
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President's Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress [November 10, 2008]
"Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that 'The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government.' Further, 'The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.' [...] An issue for Congress is what should be the appropriate title, rank, role, and responsibilities of OSTP's Director. Some in the science and technology (S&T) community contend that by providing the OSTP Director with cabinet rank, or the title of Assistant to the President, the individual in that office would have more influence within the EOP. Others have proposed that several individuals take on the roles and responsibilities of the OSTP Director rather than one individual, and that the OSTP Director play a greater role in ensuring federal agency scientists and engineers are able to communicate their findings. Further, some in the S&T community also believe that the OSTP Director and NSTC should play a greater role in federal agency coordination, priority-setting, and budget allocation. Another question is who should decide the issue focus of OSTP Associate Directors, NSTC [National Science and Technology Council] interagency coordination activities, and PCAST [President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stine, Deborah D.
2008-11-10
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