The National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 ( P.L. This report provides an overview of the history of science and technology (S&T) advice to the President and discusses selected issues and options for Congress regarding OSTP's Director, OSTP management and operations, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). Overview of OSTP

Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy as an office within the EOP to, among other things, "serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government." 94-282 establishes the position of OSTP Director, whose primary function is "to provide, within the Executive Office of the President, advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government." In addition, the OSTP Director is to:
advise the President of scientific and technological considerations involved in areas of national concern including, but not limited to, the economy, national security, homeland security, health, foreign relations, the environment, and the technological recovery and use of resources;
evaluate the scale, quality, and effectiveness of the federal effort in science and technology and advise on appropriate actions;
advise the President on scientific and technological considerations with regard to federal budgets, assist the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with an annual review and analysis of funding proposed for research and development in budgets of all federal agencies, and aid [OMB] and the agencies throughout the budget development process; and
assist the President in providing general leadership and coordination of the research and development programs of the Federal Government. In addition to establishing the position of OSTP Director, P.L. Some Presidents have appointed their science advisors, however, not only to the Senate-confirmed position of OSTP Director, but also as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST). Congress can require the OSTP Director to testify before Congress. In contrast, APSTs may assert the right not to testify before Congress in accordance with the principles of separation of powers and/or executive privilege. The OSTP Director (when serving as APST) manages the National Science and Technology Council, established by Executive Order 12881, which is charged with coordinating S&T policy across the federal government, establishing national goals for federal S&T investments, and preparing coordinated R&D strategies. Final budget decisions. Further international cooperation in science and technology. These include:
the need for science advice within the Executive Office of the President; the title, rank, roles, and responsibilities of the OSTP Director; the number and policy foci of OSTP Associate Directors; the funding and staffing levels provided for OSTP; the compliance of OSTP with statutory restrictions on the use of appropriated funds; the participation of OSTP and NSTC in federal agency coordination, priority-setting, and budget allocation; the role of OSTP in ensuring scientific integrity in federally funded and supported research, including the communication of scientific and technical information by federal agency scientists and engineers; the efforts by OSTP to effect change in federal policies regarding public access to the results of federally funded research and development; the attempt by OSTP to consolidate federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs; and the stature and influence of PCAST. Some experts in the S&T community have proposed that the OSTP Director also be given the title of APST or Cabinet rank. Congress may wish to maintain the current staffing approach. 113-76 ). P.L. In the America COMPETES Act ( P.L. Shortly thereafter, in its FY2014 budget request (released in April 2013), the Administration proposed a reorganization of the federal STEM education effort. This joint-chair approach has continued through succeeding Administrations, with the APST co-chairing the Obama Administration PCAST. Activities in the 113th Congress

The 113 th Congress has taken several legislative actions regarding OSTP and NSTC. 113-6 as described below. P.L. The OSTP Director would submit this plan to Congress.
Congress established the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) through the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-282). The act states that "The primary function of the OSTP Director is to provide, within the Executive Office of the President [EOP], advice on the scientific, engineering, and technological aspects of issues that require attention at the highest level of Government." Further, "The Office shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government."
The President nominates the OSTP Director, who is subject to confirmation by the Senate. In many Administrations, the President has concurrently appointed the OSTP Director to the position of Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST), a position that allows for the provision of confidential advice to the President on matters of science and technology. While Congress can require the OSTP Director to testify, the APST may decline requests to testify on the basis of separation of powers and/or executive privilege. The APST manages the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), an interagency body established by Executive Order 12881 that coordinates science and technology (S&T) policy across the federal government. The APST also co-chairs the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), a council established by Executive Order 13539 and composed of external advisors who provide advice to the President. In the Obama Administration, John Holdren is both the OSTP Director and the APST.
The OSTP has engaged in several activities of interest to the 113th Congress. Following disagreements starting in FY2011 between OSTP and Congress regarding OSTP participation in certain activities with China and Chinese-owned companies, Congress statutorily restricted OSTP's ability to use appropriated funds in certain ways. This restriction was continued explicitly in P.L. 113-6, implicitly in P.L. 113-46 and P.L. 113-73, and explicitly in P.L. 113-76. In February 2013, OSTP Director Holdren issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies annually investing at least $100 million in research and development to develop policies allowing the general public access to the results of this investment. Finally, OSTP has inventoried federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education investments and developed a strategic plan for them. The President also proposed in his FY2014 budget request a reorganization of STEM education programs, which Congress did not approve.
Among other issues Congress may wish to consider are the need for science advice within the EOP; the title, rank, and responsibilities of the OSTP Director; the policy foci of OSTP; the funding and staffing for OSTP; the roles and functions of OSTP and NSTC in setting federal science and technology policy; and the status and influence of PCAST. Some in the S&T community support raising the OSTP Director to Cabinet rank, contending that this would imbue the position with greater influence within the EOP. Others have proposed that the OSTP Director play a greater role in federal agency coordination, priority setting, and budget allocation. Both the Administration and Congress have identified areas of policy focus for OSTP staff, raising questions of policy setting and oversight. Some experts say NSTC has insufficient authority over federal agencies engaged in science and technology activities and PCAST insufficient influence on S&T policy; they question the overall coordination of federal science and technology activities. Finally, some in the scientific community support increasing the authority of the OSTP Director in the budget process to bring greater science and technology expertise to federal investment decision making.