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Summary:
Even before the 2001 terrorist attacks, some experts questioned whether the government was prepared to conduct and use research and development (R&D) to counter terrorism. They cited inadequate planning and priority-setting and an inability to target cross-cutting priorities and eliminate unnecessary duplication. Since September 11, funding for counterterrorism R&D has doubled to about $3 billion requested for FY2003 and planning and coordination mechanisms are being developed. The President's proposal, as passed by the House in H.R. 5005, would consolidate some federal R&D programs in a Department of Homeland Security. S. 2794 is the Senate version of the President's original proposal. Alternate legislation would include more R&D in a department is (H.R. 4660 and S. 2452). The basic R&D issues concern the adequacy of planning/coordination mechanisms, including those in the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Office of Homeland Security; which counterterrorism R&D should be transferred to a new department; and how other R&D counterterrorism activities that are not transferred should be coordinated.
