House backs funding of "big science" projects

The debate over the merits of big science versus little science that has occupied the academic research community in recent times has moved to the House floor. And in that arena, "big science" is emerging as the early winner. Late last month, the House began voting on the 13 appropriations bills that are needed to fund the federal government, and in turn programs the government funds, for fiscal 1992. Big science has won two contests. In one, the House rejected by a wide margin—251 to 165—an amendment to the Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill, H.R. 2427, that sought elimination of all fiscal 1992 funding for the Superconducting Super Collider. However, the most heated debate was generated by a move to delete all funding for space station Freedom from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration's 1992 budget, saving $1.92 billion. This decision was made by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on VA, HUD & Independent Agencies, ...