probe your thoughts as to what that would look like. Where would 

 we go for that kind of peer review? Would somebody make up a list 

 of the most eligible programs as the Defense Department does? 



Mr. Brown. Right now, the ARS and the CSRS both have their 

 own internal systems for identifying what are the highest priority 

 needs for research funding in their respective organizations. Their 

 process — and I won't pretend to describe it in detail, you will have 

 witnesses who can describe it — is being circumvented by the way 

 things are working at the present time. 



I am quite sure that in allocating their funds they seek the best 

 scientific viewpoint they can get, whether it is from within the De- 

 partment or outside the Department. They make up their minds, 

 for example, to move into a new area of research — like bio- 

 technology was a few years ago based upon the best advice they 

 can get. And they fund new facilities for that kind of research 

 based upon the best advice they can get. 



When the Congress, in its wisdom, decides that that advice isn't 

 very good and the Congressman from a particular district knows 

 more about what is needed than they do at the ARS or the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, they are not too happy with that situation. 

 But there is nothing they can do about it. 



Mr, Smith. I understand. If it goes to California, it is an invest- 

 ment. If it goes to Oregon, it is pork, I understand that. [Laughter.] 



Thank you. 



Mr. Stenholm. Mr. Volkmer. 



Mr. Volkmer. I am surely not going to respond to that, am I? 

 [Laughter,] 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and my other Mr. Chairman. I want 

 to commend you for your leadership in this area and your diligence. 

 I understand that over in the Science, Space, and Technology Com- 

 mittee we are going to have some follow-up hearings. Perhaps we 

 can get the information that I am going to seek of one of our wit- 

 nesses. 



I was just reviewing testimony of Mr. Carlson from USDA. I 

 think I find some things that are a little bit more than just concern 

 as to what apparently is happening. He points out in his testimony 

 that with the CSRS programs that are earmarked by the Congress 

 in the appropriations process that if we provide 50 percent of the 

 funds, those that are already on-line and in the pipeline that have 

 been approved, between $265 million and $390 million would be 

 needed to complete projects already in the pipeline with no new 

 ones. 



Mr. Brown, That is correct, 



Mr, Volkmer, The second thing about which I have concern is 

 that at the present time there are 72 active projects in the pro- 

 gram. Some have been completed. In the last 3 years, an average 

 of 16 additional projects per year have been initiated totaling 48 

 newly initiated projects without finishing up those previously initi- 

 ated. Based on recent funding history and the number of facilities 

 currently in the program, it could be nearly a decade before fund- 

 ing for projects and process are completed. 



If we continue to do 16 or more per year, we could get ourselves 

 in a bind where that $265 million to $390 million could go up to 

 $500 million to $750 million per year. Is that correct? 



