FY 2009 Omnibus Summary for Research and Education

Author Lewis-Burke Associates LLC
Title Summary and Analysis of the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill: Research and Education Programs
Publisher Council on Social Work Education, Washington, DC
Copyright February 23, 2009
Download Report (PDF, 89KB)

Introduction and Overview

A little over a week after passage of the $789.5 billion economic stimulus bill, Congress today unveiled the final details of a $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill, finally concluding the FY 2009 appropriations process. The bill contains funding for all federal agencies and programs except the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Department of Homeland Security, whose appropriations bills were signed into law last fall.

In describing the achievements of the omnibus bill, Congressman David Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, focused on eight key areas; scientific research and education funding were included, as were renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.

For research programs, significant increases are provided for the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. In addition, the National Institutes of Health receives its largest increase since fiscal year (FY) 2003 after several years of not keeping pace with inflation. The Department of Education's student aid, higher education and research programs also generally fare well in the bill.

The omnibus bill is scheduled to be considered on the House floor this week and will be taken up by the Senate after the House completes its consideration. The current Continuing Resolution, which provides funding for programs at their FY 2008 levels, expires on March 6th.

Details of the omnibus bill funding recommendations for programs of interest to the research and education communities are described below.