U.S. RESEARCH BUDGET:
Picture Brightens a Bit as First Bills Advance
David Malakoff
Last week, several congressional panels approved preliminary 2002 spending bills that restore research programs targeted for cuts by the Bush Administration, while others are considering channeling part of larger budget allocations to science. Pentagon officials also signaled that they may request a significant boost for defense R&D. Congress, however, still has a long way to go before any numbers become final for the fiscal year that begins 1 October.