Comments on H.R. 7689

Comments on the Research and Development Authorization Estimates Act, H.R. 7689, are presented. GAO has historically encouraged Congress to think, debate, and act with a longer term perspective and to focus more attention on crosscutting national policy areas such as science and technology. The 2-year budget estimates required by H.R. 7689 would be an important step toward longer range planning and more stable management for research and development. Because the executive branch would be required to identify and defend budget decisions over a longer time period than the annual budget cycle, congressional committees would be in a better position to make the longer range assessments necessary for multi-year authorizations. This longer range perspective is important for looking at similar research and development programs in different agencies and for examining management issues that cut across agency lines.