August 3, 2017

The House and Senate are in recess and scheduled to reconvene on September 5.

On July 27, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 1662, the FY 2018 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, by a 30-to-1 vote. The bill provides $7.3 billion for NSF, a decrease of $161 million, or 2 percent, from the FY 17 enacted level and an increase of $658 million above the Administration request. The Senate bill would provide $5.9 billion for the Research and Related Activities account, a decrease of $116 million, or 2 percent, from the FY 17 enacted level. It would provide $182.8 million for the Major Research and Facilities Construction account, a decrease of 13 percent from the FY 17 enacted level. The bill includes $105 million for the design and construction of three Regional Class Research Vessels. The bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee does not provide funding for the research ships. The Senate bill provides $862.4 million for the Education and Human Resources account, a decrease of $18 million, or 2 percent, from the FY 17 enacted level. The bill does not specify directorate-level funding. For more information on the Senate bill, see the legislation and committee report; for information on the House bill, see the July 14 NSF and Congress highlight.

When members return in September, they will only have a few weeks to reach a budget agreement--needed to exceed the caps for defense and discretionary spending established by the Budget Control Act (Public Law 112-25)--and pass FY 18 spending bills. The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

For tools and resources about the impact on NSF's investments, please see the NSF Toolkit.

A special website for NSF Days is now available.

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