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Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on 2020 Defense Science and Technology Budget
Record date · January 1, 2020
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What This Bill Does
The House Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities held a hearing to review the Department of Defense's $14.5 billion science and technology budget request for fiscal year 2020. Lawmakers and defense officials discussed the adequacy of this funding level in maintaining a technological edge, noting that inflation and rising labor costs for specialized scientists may be effectively shrinking the program's purchasing power.
This hearing sets the stage for how the federal government allocates $14.5 billion toward military research and development, which directly impacts the long-term technological capabilities of the U.S. armed forces.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Defense
The agency is responsible for managing the $14.5 billion budget and executing the research programs discussed.
Defense contractors and research institutions
These entities receive funding through the S&T ecosystem to conduct research and development for the military.
Key Facts
- The fiscal year 2020 budget request for Department of Defense science and technology (S&T) programs is $14.5 billion.
- The requested S&T budget represents 2.7% of the total Department of Defense base budget.
- The requested funding is 3.2% higher than the fiscal year 2019 requested level.
- When adjusted for inflation, the fiscal year 2020 request is only 1% higher than the previous year.
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- The subcommittee chair noted that rising costs for specialized technical labor, such as scientists and engineers, may be causing the real value of the S&T budget to shrink.
- Investment in advanced component development and prototypes increased by 5.8% in the fiscal year 2020 request.
- The hearing was held on March 28, 2019, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Discoveries
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S&T Budget Stagnation
The subcommittee chair highlighted that despite nominal increases, the S&T budget has effectively been shrinking for years when adjusted for inflation and the rising cost of specialized labor.
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Sources
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Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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