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Department of Commerce

Friday, April 13, 2001

The total agency budget request is $4.8 billion, $300 million less than the FY 2001 appropriation level. The majority of the reduction is absorbed by elimination of new project funding for the Advanced Technology Program, a 67 percent cut or $30 million for the Technology Opportunities Program, and a $77 million cut in Economic Development Administration programs. Selected Commerce program highlights include:

  • Technology Administration, including the National Institute for Standards & Technology (NIST) – $495.7 million ($109.4 million less than the FY 2001 appropriation level)
    • Under Secretary for Technology/Office of Technology Policy, including the Office of Space Commercialization – $8.2 million (increase of $176,000 over FY 2001 after rescissions)
    • Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology (EPSCoT) – no funding requested.
    • Advanced Technology Program (ATP) – $13 million in additional funding and all $145.4 million of FY 2001 funds would support outstanding commitments (no new awards would be made in FY 2001 or FY 2002)
    • Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) – $106.3 million (increase of $1.3 million over FY 2001) including continuation of the existing network of MEP centers and emphasis area for e-commerce.
    • National Quality Program – $5.4 million ($223,000 increase over FY 2001) to continue administration and selection of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
    • Critical Infrastructure Protection Grant Program – $4.992 million ($3,000 increase over FY 2001) for computer network and Internet security issues.
  • Economic Development Administration – $335 million appropriation for assistance programs (reduction of $77 million from FY 2001.) Specific program funding changes are:
    • Trade Adjustment Assistance – $10.5 million ($23,000 increase over FY 2001)
    • Planning – $24 million ($53,000 increase over FY 2001)
    • Technical Assistance – $9.1 million ($20,000 increase over FY 2001)
    • Research – $500,000 ($1,000 increase over FY 2001)
    • Economic Adjustment – $41 million ($8.62 million reduction from FY 2001 level)
    • Defense Economic Conversion/Adjustment – funding eliminated ($31.38 million reduction from FY 2001)
    • Public Works – $250 million ($36.069 million reduction from FY 2001)
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis – $8.5 million increase ($1.3 million more than FY 2001)
  • Minority Business Development Agency – $28 million ($1 million increase from FY 2001 appropriation)
  • Technology Opportunities Program – $16 million (decrease of $30 million from FY 2001 appropriation) to facilitate the development of a national telecommunication network and information infrastructure by enhancing the delivery of social services, education, health care, and public safety in under served and rural areas.