US political paralysis thwarting CHIPS Act promise

The battle to keep the government open may feel just like the crisis of the day. But these fights pose immediate and long-term risks for the US.

The federal government spends tens of billions of dollars every year to support fundamental scientific research that is mostly conducted at universities. For instance, the basic discoveries that made the Covid-19 vaccine possible stretch back to the early 1960s.

Such research investments contribute to the health, wealth and well-being of society, support jobs and regional economies, and are vital to the US economy and national security.

If Congress can’t reach an agreement, then a temporary government shutdown could happen on January 19, 2024. If lawmakers miss a second February 2 deadline, then automatic budget cuts will hit future research hard.

Even if lawmakers avoid a shutdown and pass a budget, America’s future competitiveness could suffer because federal research investments are on track to be billions of dollars below targets Congress set for themselves less than two years ago.

I am a sociologist who studies how research universities contribute to the public good. I’m also the executive director of the Institute for Research on Innovation and Science, a national university consortium whose members share data that help us understand, explain and work to amplify those benefits.

Our data shows how endangering basic research harms communities across the US and can limit innovative companies’ access to the skilled employees they need to succeed.

A promised investment

Less than two years ago, in August 2022, university researchers like me had reason to celebrate.

Congress had just passed the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. The “science” part of the law promised one of the