H.R.1368 - DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1368, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act, aims to foster collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in research and development activities. The bill encourages cross-cutting projects to advance both agencies' missions. It also mandates the creation of memoranda of understanding to coordinate these activities.
The bill outlines specific areas for potential collaboration, including propulsion systems, modeling and simulation, high energy physics, earth and environmental sciences, quantum information sciences, and radiation health effects. It also emphasizes data sharing and access to research infrastructure. The Act requires a report to Congress on the outcomes of these coordination efforts.
Finally, the bill emphasizes that all activities must align with research security protocols outlined in existing law.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to increased efficiency and innovation in research and development by leveraging the resources and expertise of both the DOE and NASA. It could result in breakthroughs in various scientific and technological fields.
Furthermore, the required reporting will provide transparency and accountability regarding the use of taxpayer dollars. This may also lead to better-informed policy decisions in the future.
However, the actual impact will depend on the effectiveness of the interagency coordination and the allocation of resources.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced scientific discovery and technological innovation through collaborative research.
- More efficient use of taxpayer dollars by avoiding duplication of effort.
- Potential advancements in areas such as clean energy, space exploration, and quantum computing.
- Improved data sharing and access to research infrastructure for scientists and researchers.
- Increased transparency and accountability through required reporting to Congress.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiencies in coordinating between two large agencies.
- Risk of funding being diverted from other important research areas within DOE and NASA.
- Possible delays in project timelines due to the need for interagency approvals.
- Overlap or duplication of research efforts if coordination is not effectively managed.
- Limited impact if the allocated resources are insufficient to achieve meaningful results.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the US Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble), which allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the nation. The enumerated powers in Article I, Section 8, which grant Congress the power to regulate commerce and promote the progress of science and useful arts, also support this type of legislation.
Furthermore, the bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The emphasis on research security also aligns with the government's responsibility to provide for the common defense (Preamble).
However, the constitutionality of specific research areas funded under this act could be challenged if they are deemed to exceed the scope of Congress's enumerated powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).