Advances in science and technology can help drive economic growth, improve human health, increase agricultural productivity, and meet national priorities. Federal policies affect scientific and technological advancement on several levels. The federal government establishes and maintains the legal and regulatory framework that affects S&T activities in the private sector. This report serves as a brief introduction to many of the science and technology policy issues that may come before the 115 th Congress. Each issue section provides background information and outlines selected policy issues that may be considered. Overarching S&T Policy Issues

Several issues of potential congressional interest apply to federal science and technology policy in general. Many House and Senate committees have jurisdiction over important elements of S&T policy. In addition, there are dozens of informal congressional caucuses in areas of S&T policy such as research and development, specific S&T disciplines, and STEM education. For Further Information
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Science and Technology Policy 
[author name scrubbed], Analyst in Science and Technology Policy
CRS Report R44711, Department of Defense Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E): Appropriations Structure , by [author name scrubbed] 
CRS Report R45110, Defense Science and Technology Funding , by [author name scrubbed] 
CRS Report R45150, Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2019 , coordinated by [author name scrubbed]
CRS Report R44888, Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2018 , coordinated by [author name scrubbed] 

	Energy

Energy-related science and technology issues that may come before the 115 th Congress include those related to reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, advances in nuclear energy technology, the development of biofuels and ocean energy technology, and international fusion research. For Further Information
[author name scrubbed], Specialist in Internet and Telecommunications Policy 
CRS Report RL33586, The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities , by [author name scrubbed] 

	Physical and Material Sciences

Some of the policy issues in the physical and material sciences that the 115 th Congress may address include funding and oversight of the National Science Foundation and the multiagency initiative supporting research and development in the emerging field of nanotechnology. 115-10 ).
Science and technology (S&T) have a pervasive influence over a wide range of issues confronting the nation. Public and private research and development spur scientific and technological advancement. Such advances can drive economic growth, help address national priorities, and improve health and quality of life. The constantly changing nature and ubiquity of science and technology frequently create public policy issues of congressional interest.
The federal government supports scientific and technological advancement directly by funding and performing research and development and indirectly by creating and maintaining policies that encourage private sector efforts. Additionally, the federal government establishes and enforces regulatory frameworks governing many aspects of S&T activities.
This report briefly outlines an array of science and technology policy issues that may come before the 115th Congress. Given the rapid pace of S&T advancement and its importance in many diverse public policy issues, S&T-related issues not discussed in this report may come before the 115th Congress. The selected issues are grouped into 10 categories:
Overarching S&T Policy Issues, Agriculture, Biomedical Research and Development, Defense, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Homeland Security, Information Technology, Physical and Material Sciences, and Space.
Each of these categories includes concise analysis of multiple policy issues. The material presented in this report should be viewed as illustrative rather than comprehensive. Each section identifies CRS reports, when available, and the appropriate CRS experts to contact for further information and analysis.