Key research programs at the energy and interior departments would get budget increases—not deep cuts proposed by President Donald Trump—under proposed 2020 appropriations bills released today by spending panels of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would also see a hefty increase in its science budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins on 1 October, under plans released by the Democratic-controlled House Committee on Appropriations.
Highlights of the proposed budgets include:
The bills released today provide only top-line numbers. Additional details will become available after the full appropriations panel votes on the bills. That process will begin on Wednesday when appropriations subcommittees are scheduled to approve the energy and interior appropriations bills.
The House bills will require reconciliation with versions produced by the Senate, which has yet to release its proposed spending levels. And it is not clear whether Congress and the White House will be able to agree on spending plans before the 2020 fiscal year begins this fall. If no agreement is reached, current spending levels could be extended into the new fiscal year—or, in case of an impasse, the government could shut down.