{ "id": "RL34736", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL34736", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 427976, "date": "2014-02-07", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T20:40:22.980027", "title": "The President\u2019s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "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 \u201cThe 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.\u201d Further, \u201cThe 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.\u201d\nThe 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\u2019s 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.\nThe OSTP has engaged in several activities of interest to the 113th Congress. Following disagreements starting in FY2011 between OSTP and Congress regarding OSTP participation in certain activities with China and Chinese-owned companies, Congress statutorily restricted OSTP\u2019s ability to use appropriated funds in certain ways. This restriction was continued explicitly in P.L. 113-6, implicitly in P.L. 113-46 and P.L. 113-73, and explicitly in P.L. 113-76. In February 2013, OSTP Director Holdren issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies annually investing at least $100 million in research and development to develop policies allowing the general public access to the results of this investment. Finally, OSTP has inventoried federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education investments and developed a strategic plan for them. The President also proposed in his FY2014 budget request a reorganization of STEM education programs, which Congress did not approve.\nAmong 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. Some in the S&T 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.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL34736", "sha1": "189293fbeb3178cb6db526e973beca99384a3e83", "filename": "files/20140207_RL34736_189293fbeb3178cb6db526e973beca99384a3e83.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL34736", "sha1": "809d45a4a536f393aca7a771a808c87b4ad1c4ad", "filename": "files/20140207_RL34736_809d45a4a536f393aca7a771a808c87b4ad1c4ad.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 2350, "name": "Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies' Appropriations" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 278, "name": "China, Taiwan, and Mongolia" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc276860/", "id": "RL34736_2014Jan13", "date": "2014-01-13", "retrieved": "2014-03-05T18:18:19", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report provides an overview of the history of science and technology (S&T) advice to the President. It also 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).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140113_RL34736_fa638e2c27d2de53845655435ac4b7b3c24fede1.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140113_RL34736_fa638e2c27d2de53845655435ac4b7b3c24fede1.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Executive departments", "name": "Executive departments" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc462957/", "id": "RL34736_2013Apr12", "date": "2013-04-12", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report provides an overview of the history of science and technology (S&T) advice to the President. It also discusses selected issues and options for Congress regarding the Office of Science and Technology Policy 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).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20130412_RL34736_60316fbb70311e37142b36be23107b3ac23e103b.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20130412_RL34736_60316fbb70311e37142b36be23107b3ac23e103b.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Budgets", "name": "Budgets" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc805665/", "id": "RL34736_2012Nov26", "date": "2012-11-26", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "The President\u2019s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20121126_RL34736_cfe7b9f90991e9ad68a03cd18e081f6646ad9a26.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20121126_RL34736_cfe7b9f90991e9ad68a03cd18e081f6646ad9a26.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc87356/", "id": "RL34736_2012Feb10", "date": "2012-02-10", "retrieved": "2012-07-03T07:51:21", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976. The act states that \u201cThe 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.\u201d Issues for Congress to consider regarding OSTP are the nomination of the OSTP director by the President; engagement of OSTP with China; the title, rank, and responsibilities of the OSTP director; OSTP policy foci; OSTP funding and staffing; roles and functions of the OSTP and NSTC; and the status and influence of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20120210_RL34736_8668fee0bd18efe1a8721dbcce35ea836de67a2c.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20120210_RL34736_8668fee0bd18efe1a8721dbcce35ea836de67a2c.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology", "name": "Technology" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700687/", "id": "RL34736_2009Jun03", "date": "2009-06-03", "retrieved": "2015-08-27T16:20:31", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report discusses the role of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, issues and options for Congress regarding (OSTP) Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The report also discusses actions taken by the Obama Administration regarding OSTP.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090603_RL34736_d2b3cce6e7fe8d10b2bd64e70ada0d69c6dcd92c.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090603_RL34736_d2b3cce6e7fe8d10b2bd64e70ada0d69c6dcd92c.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology assessment", "name": "Technology assessment" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700641/", "id": "RL34736_2009Apr21", "date": "2009-04-21", "retrieved": "2015-08-27T16:20:31", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report discusses the role of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, issues and options for Congress regarding (OSTP) Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The report also discusses actions taken by the Obama Administration regarding OSTP.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090421_RL34736_3510da181ada9f267f1f5a814b8e7be4a9c35f8a.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090421_RL34736_3510da181ada9f267f1f5a814b8e7be4a9c35f8a.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology assessment", "name": "Technology assessment" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700649/", "id": "RL34736_2009Mar20", "date": "2009-03-20", "retrieved": "2015-08-27T16:20:31", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report discusses the role of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), including an overview of the history of science and technology advice to the President, issues and options for Congress regarding (OSTP) Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The report also discusses actions taken by the Obama Administration regarding OSTP.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090320_RL34736_b90a6abd86254f1b8a77a1526a7581ef157cbef4.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090320_RL34736_b90a6abd86254f1b8a77a1526a7581ef157cbef4.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology assessment", "name": "Technology assessment" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc819259/", "id": "RL34736_2008Dec24", "date": "2008-12-24", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "The President\u2019s Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20081224_RL34736_5629480547f5155e51a9ed129e7e37784bfe0ce9.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20081224_RL34736_5629480547f5155e51a9ed129e7e37784bfe0ce9.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc461933/", "id": "RL34736_2008Nov10", "date": "2008-11-10", "retrieved": "2014-12-05T09:57:41", "title": "The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy: Issues for Congress", "summary": "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 the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20081110_RL34736_6b5eeecb2c815186854de6752b1e3853cc92b2bf.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20081110_RL34736_6b5eeecb2c815186854de6752b1e3853cc92b2bf.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science", "name": "Science" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology", "name": "Technology" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Technology policy", "name": "Technology policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Presidential commissions", "name": "Presidential commissions" } ] } ], "topics": [ "Foreign Affairs", "Legislative Process", "Science and Technology Policy" ] }