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Improving Science
and Technology Advice for Congress
A new book , Science
and T echnology Advice for Congress (RFF Press, 2003)
edited by Granger Morgan (EPP/ECE/Heinz) and Jon Peha
(EPP/ECE) is an outgrowth of the national workshop “Creating
Institutional Arrangements to Provide Science and Technology
Advice to the U.S. Congress,” which EPP hosted in
Washington, DC in June 2001.
The book opens with
a chapter by Morgan and Peha, which frames the issues
and argues for the importance of improved policy analysis
and science advice in Congressional decision making. Part
2 of the book contains four chapters by five different
authors which provide historical perspectives and a summary
of experience in Europe.
In Part 3, the core
of the book, 12 authors lay out six alternative models
which might be used to provide Congress with improved
advice. Morgan and Peha note that readers should not view
these models as providing “a menu from which only
one design should be chosen...” rather they “...should
view them as laying out a range of design possibilities.
The best and most feasible arrangement is likely to be
some combination or merger of several of the ideas developed...”
in these chapters.
In a final chapter,
Morgan and Peha argue that a new institution is required
to fill the gap between very short-term studies of the
sort provided by the Congressional Research Service and
long-term studies provided by the National Research Council.
They also argue that a gap exists in the availability
of studies which are highly responsive to the needs
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of
Congress but are balanced, complete, and impartial.
In commenting on the book, NAE President William
Wulf noted, “This book explores alternatives
for filling what many consider to be a growing void
in our government and |
for
badly needed insurance against poorly considered public
policy. Pursuing one or more of these options would go
a long way towards improving our governance and our future.”
Representative Amo Houghton (R-NY) observed “For
Congress to reach balanced and
informed decisions in this increasingly complex world
of science and technology, it might do well to follow
the authors of Science and T echnology Advice for Congress
. This book deserves to be read by every person concerned
with the quality of technical input that Congress needs
to absorb.” Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) observed
“In crafting legislation on topics ranging from
genome research to arms control, Congress needs access
to sound, objective, and unbiased scientific advice. This
book is a useful tool that will assist members of Congress,
Congressional Staff, and anyone else involved in the process
of writing laws.”
Details on the book
are available at http://www.rff.org/rff/
rff_press/bookdetail.cfm?outputID=7588.
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| Department
of Engineering
and Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
rEPPort
is published approximately two times a year by the Department
of Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University
for its alumni and friends
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