Pork Takes a Bite Out of NASA's Science Budget

Abstract

ACADEMIC EARMARKSAcross the country, dozens of universities, museums, and research organizations scored windfalls in NASA's 2000 budget in the form of unrequested spending, called earmarks, inserted by Congress. Although academic pork projects are nothing new in the federal budget, the dollar amounts at NASA are increasing dramatically, and space science's share has risen even more steeply. The specially designated projects are also beginning to pose a significant threat to established agency research programs and peer-reviewed science, say NASA officials.